Mezz warns Nick not to meddle in other people's personal lives; but when Nick teases Elana about her boring, predictable relationship with her fiancé, Roger, Elana believes Nick's comments and ends her marriage engagement. Nick tries to reunite the couple by getting them both to come to a school dance. But Elana realizes how much fun life is without Roger, and she rebuffs him. Elana tells Roger that she actually loves Nick. Nick, who is infatuated with Elana, joyfully declares his feelings for her. But later, Nick is disappointed when Elana tells him that she was pretending because Roger was present; she doesn't love Nick. Nick acts as if he were lying too. He realizes Mezz was right. Meanwhile, it's the first dance for Nick's students, and he must struggle to relieve their anxiety. Sarah and Orlando are the only ones who don't go as a ""couple"" -- and the only ones who end up enjoying themselves.

To promote unity among his class, Nick has the students prepare a presentation for the school on dental hygiene. However, when Orlando is awarded a lead role, Tyler vows to ruin the production. Rehearsals go so poorly that Fust threatens to dissolve Nick's class at the end of the semester. This motivates the kids to use teamwork and put together a great presentation. Meanwhile, when Nick cannot attend a sports event with Mezz, Nick gives his ticket to crafts teacher Yaroker, and Mezz is miserable when Yaroker tries to be his new best friend.

Desperate for cash when his car needs repairs, Nick accepts an acting job in a cigarette commercial to be aired in France. When his students find out, they chastise Nick for being a poor role model. During filming, Nick finally realizes that his self-respect is more important than money, and he quits. Meanwhile, Orlando competes against his tough, gregarious classmate Anna-Maria Del Bono for class president. At first, he campaigns on the issues, but Anna-Maria wins potential votes by giving away free pizza. Then, at Tyler's instigation, Orlando becomes more superficial and makes outlandish campaign promises. Anna-Maria ultimately wins by threatening the other students, but Orlando learns to be true to himself.

A famous actor, Bobby Moore, once Nick's roommate, comes to Nick's class to research a movie role as a class clown. While Nick idolizes Bobby, he is also jealous of Bobby's success and insecure about his own decision not to pursue acting. At first, Bobby's antics are amusing, but he soon disrupts the class and shows disrespect for the literature that Nick teaches. Nick realizes that he is proud to be a teacher. Later, after Elana declines a date with Nick, he sees her at a restaurant with Bobby. Nick angrily confronts Bobby and tells Elana that he is attracted to her. Elana admits that she liked what Nick said. Meanwhile, when Davey has trouble learning material for a scholastic contest, Nick devises an innovative way to teach him.

Nick organizes the annual student/teacher talent show. In keeping with the 1970s theme, everyone prepares to impersonate their favorite popular icons. Fust and Mezz argue over which of them should portray a particular soul singer. Elana wants to sing a depressing rock ballad. When Nick meets Elana's divorced mother and realizes that she's the famous entertainer Lainie Lane, he makes her the star of the show. Nick always idolized and lusted after her from afar. Lainie offers to sing an upbeat rendition of the same ballad that Elana practiced, not knowing her daughter planned to sing that song. Later, realizing that this upset Elana, Nick tries to tell Lainie. But Lainie kisses him before he can explain, and Elana accidentally witnesses it. Nick apologizes to Elana. He also helps her communicate better with Lainie. The show is a success.

Nick must finally get rid of his dilapidated old car. When he visits a sly car dealer, Nick becomes enamored with an expensive sports car and buys it. He dotes on it so obsessively that the other teachers worry about his sanity. Meanwhile, Jared feels sorry for a stray dog and, since his parents forbid pets, he hides it in Nick's classroom, to Fust's dismay. Unfortunately, the dog escapes. While searching for it with Jared, Nick leaves his car unattended. Later, he finds the dog but also finds his beloved car vandalized. Nick is upset, but he realizes that a living animal is more important than an inanimate automobile. Jared helps the dog find a good home, and Nick continues to drive his new car—which now, stripped of its fancy accouterments, looks a lot like his old car did....

Nick refuses to administer a required career-aptitude test to his class because he believes the examination is unfair. Fust suspends Nick from teaching and makes the kids take the test anyway. Orlando is distressed when his results indicate that he is unsuitable for his desired career as an artist. Nick abandons his fight to be reinstated when he unexpectedly reunites with his former high school girlfriend Lindsey Meritt, who invites him to a rock music festival. (Part 1 of 2)

After being relieved of his teaching duties for refusing to administer a career-aptitude test that he considers unfair, Nick accepts an invitation from his former high school girlfriend to attend a rock music festival. Meanwhile, Fust denies Orlando admission to an art-enrichment program because the test results show that Orlando has no potential to be an artist. Upset, Orlando tries to sell his drawings on the street. Nick finally overcomes his desire to be irresponsible after Mezz and the students show him how much he means to them. And Elana provides another incentive for Nick to return when she kisses him. Nick confronts the school board, insists that Orlando be allowed to enroll in the art course and gets his job back.