Rereading

 As I was browsing at the library, I also was set on the book I was searching for. Sure enough, I found it in its regular place. Just like those couple of months ago when I stumbled upon it and realized it was exactly what I needed at that time, the memories and dare I say nostalgia flooded back. 

It felt like I was looking at a mirror, looking back at my former self and here I was, on the other side of that mirror. Though the looking back at a former time and self wasn't actually that long ago. When I read this book, it was Fall 2023 and the walls felt like they were caving in, and I needed any extra dose of inspiration and hope.

This book did it for me. It gave me glimpses of working and speaking to students again, one that I missed incredibly and yearned for after I left my job. It brought me into an entirely different world, yet a world and experience I could imagine and enter into.

Michelle Kuo, a young woman on a path of discovery of starting her teaching career at in a lower income community and with students needing extra academic support. Her way of detailing her navigation through the thick and thin, good and bad, highs and lows days of being in a classroom I could resonate with, not just in my own personal way but also through stories of my sisters' experience teaching the youth. 

I loved Kuo's effortless passion and dedication of English and literature even when it wasn't reciprocated by some of her students. Most especially, her undying effort to enter into her students' lives and one in particular (I don't want to spoil it), where she helps him out and meets him where he's at. She also has unfailing hope in him though he doesn't for himself. She later achieves her own personal goals with teaching and education as her foundation. Ultimately, Kuo's story elaborates on the impact of a teacher.  A teacher who is just as passionate as caring, and eager to support and inspire. It was literally a page turner. 

Not only was this book an inspiration and reminder of the impact we can have on others and students, while also fulfilling our own dream and learning more about ourselves. It also showed me how much I do care about students and education, and all my experiences with it. Most importantly though, I've seen my growth since reading this book. I knew what season I was in then and where I am now. I'm proud of myself and just like Kuo, I too have accomplished something and learned more about myself in the process.