Patricia E Paetow High School in Katy, Texas on DonorsChoose

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By introducing graphic novels and high-interest texts like Who Was Pele?, Rikers High, and Doctor Who: A Brief History of Time Lords, we've been able to create an environment where reading is not only a necessity but a joy.\r\n\r\nThese books have introduced my students to valuable skills and lessons, including:\r\n\r\nBuilding Reading Fluency: Graphic novels provide a combination of visual cues and written text, making them an excellent resource for beginner and intermediate English learners. The illustrations support comprehension, helping students grasp the meaning of new words and concepts more easily.\r\n\r\nEngaging with Content: Books like Who Was Pele? and Doctor Who spark curiosity and excitement, which motivates students to dive deeper into the material. When students are genuinely interested in a subject, they are more willing to push through language barriers and work hard to understand.\r\n\r\nCritical Thinking and Cultural Awareness: Through texts like Rikers High, my students explore themes of personal growth, resilience, and social justice. This encourages them to think critically about their own experiences and the world around them.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is an interactive and dynamic process. Students read aloud, discuss stories with one another, and create projects that connect what they've learned with their own lives. The diversity of our classroom lends itself to rich, meaningful discussions about the different cultures represented in the books we read. Students often share personal stories or insights that relate to the characters or themes, further enriching their learning experience.\r\n\r\nI've seen firsthand how much my students enjoy the new books. For instance, one of my students from Venezuela has become completely captivated by Who Was Pele?. His enthusiasm for soccer, paired with his curiosity about the life of this legendary athlete, has made him more motivated than ever to practice his reading skills. Another student from Brazil has particularly enjoyed the Doctor Who graphic novel. She's an avid fan of science fiction, and this book has helped her practice English while indulging in her passion.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom is no longer a chore—it's an opportunity for my students to engage with stories that reflect their interests and experiences. Your donation has allowed them to develop essential literacy skills in a way that feels personal and exciting. I can already see the impact this is having on their confidence and progress, and it's all thanks to you!\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. Your generosity is shaping my students' futures, and we are incredibly grateful for your support. Together, we are helping these young men and women build the skills they need to access the American dream.","fullyFundedDate":1536589707990,"projectUrl":"project/readers-today-leaders-tomorrow/3384504/","projectTitle":"Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKinney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mckinney-english"},{"teacherId":4972376,"projectId":3278974,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous donation to my project, which has made a significant impact on my students and their learning journey. Your support allowed us to bring a rich collection of Cinderella variations into my classroom, including The Korean Cinderella, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale, and Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella. These diverse versions of the classic story have provided my first and second-year English Language Learners with a deeper understanding of literature, culture, and language.\r\n\r\nThrough these texts, my students are learning essential skills like identifying the author's perspective, analyzing how culture influences plot structure, and exploring the use of rhetorical devices. By comparing and contrasting these different versions of Cinderella, students are not only engaging with fiction but also gaining a global perspective that enriches their understanding of the world.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an interactive experience where students analyze, discuss, and make connections between the text and their own lives. Whether it's through group discussions, written reflections, or visual representations of the stories, my students are actively participating in their learning. They've been particularly excited about the opportunity to explore multiple cultures through storytelling, which helps make the content more relevant to their lives.\r\n\r\nSome students have been especially engaged with the new books. For example, one of my students, who comes from a Korean background, has shown great enthusiasm when reading The Korean Cinderella. She delights in recognizing cultural aspects that resonate with her own experiences, and she's been eager to share her perspective during class discussions. Similarly, my students from African and Caribbean backgrounds have enjoyed seeing familiar cultural elements reflected in Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters and Cendrillon, further reinforcing their connections to the text.\r\n\r\nIn addition to expanding their cultural awareness, these books have also strengthened their reading comprehension skills. 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About this school

Patricia E Paetow High School is a public school in Katy, Texas that is part of Katy Independent School District. Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Not specified

# of students unavailable

# of teachers unavailable

23111 Stockdick School Rd

Katy, TX 77493 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Patricia E Paetow High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Patricia E Paetow High School Demographics

45%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

67%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Patricia E Paetow High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.