By Juliana Schatz "Outside the textbook" is a phrase Sister Pat uses frequently to describe the way her relationship with students extends far beyond the classroom. Stressing the importance of oneness with her community, Sister Pat and her tutors have been reaching out to the new immigrant and refugee population for the past two decades. The majority of her students are women; often single heads of household, that fall below the poverty line. Other more structured ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs have large classes and can cost tuition. Pat's program involves one-on-one tutoring, at no cost to the student. While Sister Pat must compete for funds, she never sees the cost. Instead, her students repay her with smiles and hugs that translate beyond any language or currency. Sister Pat Andrews is the director of The Literacy Connection in the Allston / Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.
Tags: Sister, Pat, immigration, immigrants, refugees, ESOL
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