March 12th, 2012: Stories from an Undeclared War

Attended a free screening of "Stories from an Undeclared War" hosted by the Freedom Writers Institution. It's a documentary about the stories of Erin's 150 students and their struggles and achievements while in Class 203. It's a touching, emotional, inspirational documentary that had me in tears at specific parts.

After the documentary, they had a Q and A session with some actual Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell to answer.

Sadly, this documentary is still in the editing phase and not available for purchase. I hope to purchase it soon once it is released.

I LOVE the Freedom Writers!

One of my all-time favorite real-life stories on teaching would be Erin Gruwell and the story of the Freedom Writers! I watched the movie, "The Freedom Writers," more times than I can count, crying throughout all of them. I read her memoir, Teach with Your Heart: Lessons I Learned from the Freedom Writers. As for her other books, I am currently reading Teaching Hope. The Freedom Writers Diary would have to wait for afterward. I bought tickets to watch the feature documentary, "Voices Unbound: The Story of the Freedom Writers, by the Little Dust Production/Live Planet at the Lido Theater, the same theater she brought her students a long time ago in her memoir. Also, I was finally able to meet her in person at one of her talks when promoting the new book, Teaching Hope!

 

Erin Gruwell definitely taught with her heart. She stepped into the classroom not judging them knowing all too well the negative stereotypes that go against them. She genuinely cares about her students and they came to realize that as well. She had high expectations for them and went above and beyond when it came to making sure they were learning (leaving her classroom with something valuable and priceless).

I hope to have the same affect on my students and teach as well as her one day.

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/site/c.kqIXL2PFJtH/b.5183373/k.DD8B/FWF_Home.htm