SUMMARYThe Freedom Writers Diary chronicles the true story of English teacher Erin Gruwell and her first teaching assignment in Long Beach, California, working with students other teachers deemed "unteachable." Gruwell quickly learned that her students had more to worry about than homework; her students went home to gunfire, gangs, drugs, and a host of other difficult situations. The students were convinced that they had nothing to learn from a white woman who had never experienced firsthand the violence, discrimination, and hatred that was part of their everyday lives.

One day, Gruwell intercepted a note being passed between students; the paper revealed a racist caricature full of hate. Gruwell told her class that it was this sort of hate and misunderstanding that led to the Holocaust. Gruwell was shocked to learn that her students had never heard of the Holocaust.

Gruwell introduced her class to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and to Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. She also provided every student with a journal in order for them to have a place to discuss their feelings, their fears, and their experiences. For the first time, the students took an interest in academics.

Eva Benitez Father was arrested in front of her eyes when she was 5

See's a guy shot in front of her eyes while waiting to go to her

first day of school.

Most Resistance to Erin

Testifies against her own at court

3rd generation gang member

 

CHARACTERS OF THE MOVIEErin GruwellMarried to Scott Teacher of Room 203Energetic Eva BenitezMost Resistance to ErinTestifies against her own at court3rd generation gang member 

JamalThinks school is a waste of timeOutspokenIs the target of the racist picture.

Miss CampbellOpposes Erin's teaching tacticsThinks the kids in room 203 can't be trusted.Thinks room 203 kids are lost causesApposes change in her department

CindyBoyfriend gets shot by Eva's gangFrom Cambodia  

BenOnly white kid in classAfraid of everyone else in room 203 

Scott Casey (Erin's husband)Married to ErinNot supportive of Erin's endeavours to help room 203Gets a divorce because it is not what he wanted his life to be like.

Scott Gruwell (Erin's father)A father who is very supportive, financially and emotionally to her daughter Ms.G.

MORAL LESSON

No mater what do not give up, do not be racist and sacrifices must be made to change the world.

Each of us has an opportunity to make a difference with the people whose lives we touch. We certainly face our share of adversity, even if it doesn’t include standing infront of a group of hostile teenagers.

Whatever your situation, you can draw on your own creativity and passion to create a positive experience for the people around you.

PERSONAL INSIGHTSThe movie is very inspiring. It shows the

big role of a teacher in the transformation of the students. It is an eye opener for me as future educator that teaching profession is not an easy job to do. It requires efforts, patients, hard work, love and passion to work. It’s not just doing your job because of salary but because you love your work and you consider your students as your family too. They are students who are hungry to learn new ideas and knowledge

As teachers, we cannot expect that our students will listen and follow us right away. Just like what happen with Ms.Guwell’s first day of teaching. What she did is she observed their attitudes and behavior in order for her to create and apply helpful and meaningful techniques that is very appropriate in her class. She give different kinds of activities that would help the students to be motivated. That must teachers do to become an effective teacher.

The teaching practice is not only in classroom but also outside the class like being concern with the students personal problems and help them to solve it. As teacher you play a big part in the transformation and learning of the student because you are now considered as their second parent. You will help them to be more motivated in studying through helping them emotionally and financially. You have to engage yourself in different methods and techniques to come up with a positive and meaningful results.

The movie is very inspiring especially the role of Ms.G whom I consider as very good role model of an effective teacher. It inspires me more to appreciate and love teaching profession. It reminds me not to easily give up whenever I feel that the work is hard to do. It challenges me as teacher someday that being a teacher is not easy but the work is very much fulfilling if you put love in doing it and if you see the changes of your students. For this you’re able to change the world in your own little yet extraordinary way of teaching.