There are two quotations that I can use to express my impression to the story of this book. First, a quotation from Pearson Longman English Language Teaching Catalogue is “Great teachers inspire, motivate, and change the world.” This quotation means that a teacher should give the students desire, confidence, and enthusiasm to make their students’ world meaningful. Second, is the quotation from the book itself “One person can make a difference that can change the whole world.” This quotation means that each individual action can make a big change in the world if they believe what their fight for is right.
In this posting, I would like to let you know about an inspirational and motivated book, entitled The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change themselves and the World around Them. This book is based on a true story and it’s the 1st New York Times Bestseller. And It has been made to a movie starring Hilary Swank.
The story of this book began when an idealistic woman, named Erin Gruwell became an English teacher of Wilson High School, in Long Beach California. Her class, room 203, a diverse group of racially charged teenagers from different walks of life – African, Americans, Latinos, Asians, juvenile delinquents, gang members, and underprivileged students from poor neighborhood. The only thing they share was their hatred for each other and the understanding that they were simply being warehoused and written off in the educational system. In the first few weeks of class, the students made it clear that they were not interested in what Erin had to say, and made bets about how long she would last in their classroom.
Then, a pivotal moment changed their lives forever. An ugly racial cartoon that Erin intercepts during the class, become the most unwittingly dynamic teaching aids. Erin compared it to the Nazi caricature of Jews during the Holocaust. Erin realized that her students were all too familiar with violence, and she was inspired to take advantage of the powerful energy she had sparked that she began to introduced her students to the literature from another kind of ghetto, such as the diary of Anne Frank, and Zlata's Diary, inviting guest speakers and going on field trips, and with these simple tools she opens her students’ eyes to the experiences of those suffering intolerance throughout the world and the struggles of those outside their own communities. Because the school administration dubbed Erin’s students as "unteachable, at-risk" teenagers, Erin should moonlight as a concierge at the Marriot Hotel and sold lingerie at Nordstrom to afford some books, and field trips.
Knowing that every one of her students had a story to tell, Erin encouraged them to keep a daily journal of their thoughts and experiences. After sharing their stories with one another, the students saw their shared experience for the first time and realized that they were not alone, or not the only person in these difficult situations. From that moment on, they named themselves as The Freedom Writers.
You really should read this book because:
First, this book shows you how a teacher should be which is represented by Erin Gruwell. This book shows that being a teacher must be the real educator, and to be sensitive towards what the students need and want. This book will inspire you that being a teacher is much more than a teacher. A teacher is a parent to those doesn’t have or cannot communicate with their own, a teacher is an older friend who is fun to be around, and a teacher is also should be very loyal, someone who cares and fights for each one of his/her students. A teacher is dedicated for his/her students; a little sacrifice can be so meaningful for students. Like Erin did, she used her after-school time to moonlight two jobs to help her students. This book will inspire you that a classroom, in not just a place to learn, but it’s more than that. A classroom must be a safe place for the students and the whole class is a family. This book will show you how to teach your students with your heart.
Second, this book shows you how a human and life should be. This book shows you that everyone is not alone and always has a hope for a better life. This book will inspire you that world can be a better place if there is no discrimination towards the differences, and no more racial issues. This book shows you that a little thing of each person can make a big change for the whole world. As in this book, 150 teens with their teacher Erin Gruwell used writing as their weapon to fight injustice and intolerance to change their whole life, the whole world, even they can inspire and affect others to do the same thing. Maybe this is what people say “A pen is mightier than a sword”. Remember that violence is not the answers of everything.
In brief, this book is about a fearless and an incredible teacher, Erin Gruwell, as well as hopeful teens. By reading this book you will many valuable things that you can learn. This book will inspire you how to be a real teacher for your students, how to discover the integrity of yourselves, and how to use your heart in teaching. This book will inspire you how to believe in yourselves and treat everyone around you. I have been inspired and motivated by this book, and now it’s time to take your turn!
WRITTEN BY MEGA ZULFITRIANI
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