When Calvin (a modern-day Scrooge) wakes up in a hospital bed on Christmas Eve, he is visited by a mysterious, no-nonsense nurse who gives him 12 attempts to make the best Christmas Eve ever.

Charlie and his spunky 12-year-old granddaughter Casey are best friends. They go to the movies, play games together, and share stories. When Charlie unexpectedly gets sick, he realizes their time together is precious. He wants to teach his granddaughter so much. But Casey is a great teacher because she knows how to have fun. Her feisty spirit inspires her grandfather to live each day to the fullest.

The true story of a passionate and innovative teacher who left his small town to teach in one of Harlem's toughest schools. To get his students to open up to their potential he uses unconventional methods, including ground-breaking classroom rules.