'The Thread That Runs So True' by Jesse Stuart is a memoir that follows the author's journey of becoming an educator in rural Kentucky, starting in the 1920s. The book portrays thrilling incidents and passionate insights into the challenges and successes of teaching in small town school systems. Stuart's writing style is described as fresh and inventive, capturing the reader's attention with surprising and sometimes violent stories from his experiences in education.

Characters:

The characters primarily include a devoted teacher and his varied students, illustrating the challenges and successes in rural education.

Writing/Prose:

The prose style is engaging and emotionally charged, reflecting the author's deep passion for education, while also being described as straightforward.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows Jesse Stuart's career in education, highlighting his early experiences as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse and later roles, amidst the challenges and politics of rural schooling.

Setting:

The setting is primarily the rural landscapes of Kentucky in the early 20th century, emphasizing the challenges of small-town education.

Pacing:

The pacing is dynamic, with exciting moments contrasted by slower, reflective discussions on educational issues.

Notes:

Jesse Stuart worked as a teacher, principal, and school superintendent in rural Kentucky.

He taught at a one-room schoolhouse when he was only 17 years old.

Stuart experienced physical altercations with students nearly his age during his first teaching job.

Despite the challenges, he found innovative ways to teach, like using everyday objects as teaching aids.

Many of his students were motivated and later became teachers themselves.

The book addresses the challenges of politics in education, particularly in rural Kentucky.

Stuart's pay as a teacher was low, and he often didn't receive paychecks during his career.

There were no teacher pension plans when he began teaching, which was a struggle for many educators.

His writing is described as fresh and inventive, filled with surprising and sometimes violent stories.

Stuart's passion for education shines through despite the difficulties he faced in his career.

The memoir has remained continuously in print for over fifty years, indicating its impact and popularity.

From The Publisher:

First published in 1949, Jesse Stuart's now classic personal account of his 20 years of teaching in the mountain region of Kentucky has enchanted & inspired generations of students & teachers. With eloquence & wit, Stuart traces his 20 year career in education, which began, when he was only seventeen years old, with teaching grades 1 through 8 in a one-room schoolhouse. Before long Stuart was on a path that made him principal & finally superintendent of city & county schools. The road was not smooth, however, & Stuart faced many challenges, from students who were considerably older- & bigger- than he to well-meaning but distrustful parents, uncooperative administrators, & most daunting, his own fear of failure. Through it all, Stuart never lost his abiding faith in the power of education. A graceful ode to what he considered the greatest profession there is, Jesse Stuart's The Thread That Runs So True is timeless proof that "good teaching is forever and the teacher is immortal."

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Bekahpaige

It Was OK

5 months

Teaching in rural Appalachia

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The Thread That Runs So True

Jesse Stuart