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Reading With Patrick, By Michelle Kuo

1067 Words5 Pages

The teaching of literature holds immense importance in the classroom as it helps students develop critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. (Thexton et al., 2019)
In my opinion, it’s essential for teachers to adopt a sensitive approach that creates a balanced and healthy connection with their students, as well as an approach that is to love what you do as a teacher, and know that how you act, has an impact on someone else’s life.
It’s also important that teachers learn to use teaching methods and strategies that are relevant and suitable for their students, while exposing them to diverse topics that connect and intertwine with their lives, and can help them learn about themselves, their history and their …show more content…

Michelle Kuo's memoir, "Reading with Patrick," vividly shows us readers the transformative power of education and personal connection in the lives of individuals, shedding light on the deep impact teachers can have on their students' paths to self-discovery and growth.
In "Reading with Patrick," Kuo recounts her journey as a dedicated educator in rural Arkansas, where she encountered the struggles faced by students and specifically one student, Patrick Browning.
Through their relationship, Kuo highlights the potential for literature and the connection between a teacher and a student to offer hope and inspire change even in the most challenging circumstances.
Kuo's memoir demonstrates how literature became an aid for her students’ development and specifically Patrick's intellectual development and self-reflection. By engaging Patrick in meaningful discussions about texts, Kuo empowered him to express his thoughts, question his surroundings, and envision a future beyond the confines of his …show more content…

Michelle put her heart into her profession because she believed she can make a difference in the lives of her teenage pupils.
She was motivated by students like Patrick even though she lost some students to absenteeism and gun violence.
Thanks to the connection Michelle developed with Patrick, who when they met, was fifteen and in the eighth grade, he flourished under Michelle's oversight and rose to her high standards.
Even after leaving Arkansas after two years of teaching due to different reasons, Michelle came back as soon as she heard that her beloved student Patrick, had been jailed for murder.
Michelle felt determined to fix her mistake, and returned to resume Patrick's education - even as he sits in a jail cell awaiting trial.
She sees so much of an importance in her work, that she decided to go back and reconnect with a student who’s in jail and committed a crime, because she knew he had more in him than

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