Learning happens when teachers see the student as a whole person. To be a learner is to be human. Teaching any content begins with this essential understanding. I am teaching reading and writing and thinking, but first I am teaching students to believe in themselves. They must believe that they deserve to learn simply because they exist. Once they feel safe to embrace this thought, everything is possible. I should add that I have been teaching AP English literature and grading the actual AP English literature exam for almost 20 years.