Turner teacher’s legacy lives on in library

Turner teacher’s legacy lives on in library
Posted on 01/23/2019
This is the image for the news article titled Turner teacher’s legacy lives on in libraryBy: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications



The Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rename the library at Turner Elementary the “Patricia Wright Library” in honor and memory of the beloved educator who recently passed after 30 years of teaching in the district.

A graduate of Pasadena High School, Patricia Wright began her Pasadena ISD teaching career in 1988 at Williams Elementary. She then moved to Turner Elementary when the campus opened in 1992, where she taught in nearly every grade level until her medical retirement in 2017. 

Wright passed away from cancer on January 16, 2019, just six days before the announcement was made. 

“Pat was so important to our campus,” said Donna
Dr. DeeAnn Powell and Patricia Wright
(L to R): Pasadena ISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. DeeAnn Powell and Turner Elementary teacher Patricia Wright
Duke, Turner Elementary Principal. “She had a positive lasting effect on everyone she came in contact with.”

During her 25 years at Turner, Wright’s caring and gentle manner led to her becoming a campus favorite, with her influence spanning multiple generations of students.

In 2016, Wright was named Pasadena ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year for her dedication and commitment to excellence.

“Patricia is a master teacher whose instructional strategies remain innovative and fresh,” said Duke in 2016, at the time of the announcement. “Parents respect and appreciate her and are willing to work with her to provide students with the best educational opportunities possible.”

Wright was one of the driving forces behind the highly successful reading program at Turner, where she was famous for coining the phrase: “It’s not that students don’t like to read, they just haven’t found the right book yet.”

“Instilling in kids the love of reading was always Pat’s goal,” said Duke. “She believed that through reading you can obtain the skills to be successful.”

Wright’s legacy of literacy will now forever live on in the library that bears her name.

Turner Elementary plans to hold a dedication and unveiling ceremony on campus later this spring.


2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year Patrica Wright
2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year Patrica Wright (back center) was honored in her classroom in April of that year for her outstanding work at Turner Elementary.