Examines the life and work of school reformer Michelle Rhee, chancellor of Washington, D.C., public schools from 2007 to 2010, discussing her childhood in Ohio, her teaching career, her controversial tenure as chancellor, and her launch of the national advocacy group Children First, and assessing her successes and failures.

An (Asian) American life -- The transformation begins -- Going national -- Welcome to the nation's education superfund site -- Closing schools -- Randi and Michelle -- New hires, new fires -- Up from the foundations: the challenge of high school reform -- Rhee's critics find a winning storyline -- The mayor's race -- Lessons learned -- What's next?.