Freedom Writers

1) What are some of the hopes and expectations Erin has prior to starting her first job?
Erin wants to teach high school English. A story she wishes to teach that she has in mine is The Odyssey.

2) What realities and challenges confronted her in the beginning of the year?
Erin is confronted with realities that the students she will have do not have the reading level of someone in high school and the students come from a rough walk of life.

3) What were some of the case scenarios of the lived experiences of the students she had in class?
Some of the case scenarios are that one student comes from an abusive house hold, some students are in gangs, others have witnessed murders and another witnessed a murder as a child and witnessed her father being taken away for it; even though he did not commit the crime.

4) How did the student’s attitudes towards learning impact their academic performance?
The students did not feel they needed to learn because there was no point in learning. One student professed her hatred of white people and how they feel superior to other races and don't understand. The students didn't think that learning would help them "out there" in their world.

5) What strategies did Erin incorporate to break down the barriers between the students and the teacher?
Erin took the students on a field trip and this helped immensely in breaking down the barrier between the students and teacher relationship. It created trust and respect.


6) What kinds of teaching methods worked with the students?
Erin had the students write journals and after their journals were finished at the end of the year; she had the students put them into a book. She gave them several books to read, group discussions, field trips, guest speakers, etc.

7) How did Erin develop curriculum that connected with the students?
 Erin chose materials (books) that the students could read that they could relate to. She chose books such as The Diary of Ann Frank which the students could relate to and they were able to go to a museum to see first hand what happened during the holocaust. They also were inspired to raise money to fly in someone who helped house the family of Ann Frank as a guest speaker.

8) What were the attitudes and challenges from other teachers and administrators in the school?
 One administrator in particular was not very pleased and more than likely felt as if Erin was doing too much. She probably felt a bit intimidated and instead of praising Erin for her good work; she complained to the school board and that her methods may work now; but, that in the future if the students were to be split up that they would go back to their old ways.

9) What role did Erin’s expectations for the students have on their learning?
 Erin did not give up on her students and she kept fighting. In the beginning it was hard for her to reach her students; but, in time her students were learning and they enjoyed learning. Erin went out of her way for them - taking them on field trips, buying them books to read and so on.

10) What lessons did you learn from this in regards to your first year of teaching?
 I learned that it may be tough at first; but, I should keep going and not give up. Also, not everyone may not like me and that is okay. If I follow my heart and do my job and influence them in a positive way that is what counts.