Misfit Mentor

Misfit Mentor is a slice-of-life documentary centered on Jamie Egan, a New Jersey elementary school teacher and trombonist who led a remarkable double life. In 1996, at the invitation of his very first music student, Egan joined Catch 22, a New Jersey ska-punk band that went on to achieve cult success — most notably through their influential album Keasbey Nights. He played with the band until 1999, when he stepped away from music to focus on his teaching career and family. For years he poured himself into the classroom, earning a reputation for his free, creatively open approach to elementary education. Then a devastating personal family tragedy upends his life, prompting him to retire from teaching and attempt a return to music — what the film frames as 'a third bite of the apple.' As Egan prepares to reunite with Catch 22, the documentary chronicles his internal reckoning: insecurities about self-worth, regret over moments missed with family while balancing two demanding callings, and the looming loneliness of being an aging musician re-entering a scene that has moved on. The film ultimately follows his search for personal redemption and his effort to forgive himself while coming to understand the positive impact he had on the students he taught and the music community he helped shape. Note: the film has not yet been released theatrically as of this writing; the above is drawn from official promotional materials and advance press coverage.

Sources: TMDb overview, Collider (trailer/exclusive feature), web search summaries referencing Collider and Punk Rock Museum coverage