Freedom Writers

The first movie we watched Valentine's Day was Freedom Writers.
We thought it appropriate since it was about the love of a teacher
for teaching and especially for each of her students individually.
It is an amazing story of a first year teacher making such an impact.
Hats off to teachers everywhere especially those who truly care!!!
Teaching really should be a labor of love.

Erin Gruwell, the teacher portrayed in the movie, definately felt that.
She went the extra mile or maybe MILES for her students.
She took on her first part time job to pay for reading books.
And then a second part time job to defray field trips expenses.
She gave the students the learning experience they needed.
She and her students became family and still are today.

The journals she had them keep were turned into a book.
The script went around for awhile waiting for the right backing.
Hillary Swank got a copy and read it and wanted the part.
Many of the actors playing the students are first time actors.
But they truly could relate to the experiences they were acting.
The actors along with Hillary also became a close knit family.

Erin found out the students had never been taught the "Holocaust".
She took them to the Musuem of Tolerance in Los Angeles.
She also sent their dairies to Miep Gies who had hid the Frank family.
Miep and other Holocaust survivors met and shared their stories.
Erin and her students started Freedom Writers Foundation.

Maine connection: Patrick Dempsey played Erin's husband.
Patrick was born and raised in Lewiston, Maine.

(Considered MRE of HUMORE)