Inspire High School English-Learners With Paolo Coelho's Alchemist

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

Few novels are as inspirational as Paolo Coelho's "Alchemist," and few students are as in need of inspiration as those who attend school in the border town of La Joya, Texas. I am an English teacher at the high school in La Joya, and I take responsibility for teaching students not only about literature, but also about adulthood. This is an uphill battle, as students here face significant personal and academic difficulties. In my search for inspirational stories to explore in class, I found "The Alchemist," which I fell in love with and hope now to share with my students at the start of the upcoming school year. I am requesting thirty-five copies of the novel, which would yield one "class set" I can share with multiple classes simultaneously. If you are not already familiar with "The Alchemist," I recommend you pick up a copy for yourself (whether or not you fund this proposal). The novel, which was written in Portuguese but has developed an international following, introduces us to a shepherd boy, Santiago, who is born to a hardworking poor family but dreams of something greater. He does not know exactly what that "something" is, however, and so with his father's blessing he sets out on a soul quest. He confronts many obstacles on his way, and he is even detained in indentured servitude for several years. But eventually he finds happiness, and he realizes greatness lies not in one's treasure but instead in the journey one takes in search for that treasure. Like Santiago, students in La Joya must overcome many obstacles. At home, they face malnutrition, teen pregnancy, gang violence, and crippling poverty (100% of our students receive free lunch). Most of my students are first or second generation Mexican immigrants, several migrate north in the springs to work in the fields, and many practice English only at school. By the time they reach the 11th grade, students enrolled in this district are several years behind in terms of their literacy, even compared to peers in nearby districts. Most tragically, students are keenly aware that they are behind, and many have been trained to "accept" their mediocrity as fact. Like all children, my students once were dreamers. Somewhere along the way, however, they "accepted" the "reality" that they, like their parents, may never speak English fluently, may never escape the cycle of poverty, may never fulfill their aspirations. This must end. And the first step in this direction is to motivate students, to remind them they are talented individuals who are able to confront and overcome even the most formidable challenges. I am confident that "The Alchemist", especially if taught at the start of the year, will remind spirit-broken students that they too are allowed to dream. Santiago and his quest for self-realization will surely resonate with students at the crossroad between high school and adulthood. With "The Alchemist," I believe I can persuade students to re-commit themselves to their education and to make decisions that will lead them to greatness. With your support, we can motivation students to reach beyond frustration and day-to-day struggles, even beyond material wealth, and into self-realization. For the mere cost of thirty-five books, you have the opportunity to inspire thousands of students, in 2007 and in the years that follow. Thank you for your consideration.