Elizabeth Stewart brings the love of literature into her Harlandale classroom through reading and writing

Elizabeth Stewart believes there is a critical link between reading and writing, calling her class a "reading and writing workshop." She works closely with other core area teachers to ensure that reading is integrated into all areas of the curriculum. Her goal is to impart to each student the life-long love of reading and writing.

She believes that students make a connection with literature, especially young adult literature. She tries to match literature with the needs of each student. Reading topics about day-to-day life, students know they are not alone and that they are going to make it through their adolescent years. When the text has become meaningful for them, they can expound on it in words. "At this point," she says, "I have imparted my literary legacy to them."

Despite her dedication of time to her students and helping her peers by researching new teaching tools and sharing them, she also writes grant proposals to raise money for her reading department's needs. She also finds time to volunteer at the UT Institute of Texan Cultures and participates each year demonstrating cattle branding and teaching its history at the Texas Folklife Festival.