7. “ My kids have gone from being apathetic about school to being actively engaged. Without Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers institute, I would not have the tools to reach them”
13. For more information about the Freedom Writers go to www.freedomwritersfoundation.org
Editor's Notes
The Freedom Writers movement was born in 1994 by the Benevolent Erin Gruwell to Inspire young, underprivileged students to pick up pens instead of guns.
The Freedom Writers Foundation creates opportunities for students to reach their full academic potential & aspire to higher education. This organization publicly & systematically promote an educational philosophy that values, upholds, & honors diversity, so it can inspire students to see that they have a substantive future.
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In order for the Freedom Writers pedagogy to succeed they need sponsors, Donors, and supporters in the school boards, teachers and students that will fight for this personable style of teaching rather than didactic .
The Freedom Writers Foundation holds a 5 day seminar for teachers to Understand the Freedom Writers Method. The seminar is led by Erin Gruwell with the support from the original Freedom Writers. Erin Gruwell also goes out to schools, juvenile halls, and businesses around the world to show them how to apply her method. The Freedom Writers Foundation also has Scholarship Contests & annual scholarships for students to provide full financial & academic support.
The Freedom Writers method is being used in classrooms all across the country. From teachers in California to teachers as far away as Boston, New York and Toronto. Freedom Writer teachers are over 50 strong and with more support & funding this number will grow exponentially. With more schools teaching this method there will be an increase in learning by connecting with students & an increase in graduating. And by providing scholarships more students will be able to go to college.
The Freedom Writers success began in 1998. All of Ms. Gruwell’s students graduated high school, when they never thought it was possible. The students went on to college to earn, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and PhDs. Some of the Freedom Writers are also guest speakers at schools & seminars to help spread the method. The Freedom Writers foundation has given over 400 scholarships to teachers & students & through out the country students have raised their grades & attendance records
1 out of 3 students who start public education do not complete high school. Every nine seconds a student drops out of school in the United States. Due to the efforts of Erin Gruwell & the Freedom writers foundation thousands of teachers & community members are empowered to inspire & reach those students who might otherwise be left behind. The Freedom writers foundation serves across the nation & in any community where children feel uninspired to learn, or think they are not smart enough, good enough, or that they don’t have a future.
The ShuttleWorth Foundation is a perfect Funding Institution for The Freedom Writers because Erin Gruwell has started a method that can help change the lives of students all across the world. The Shuttleworth foundation provides funding for dynamic leaders who are at the forefront of social change. They support exceptional people to change the world in extraordinary ways.
By teaching this method students are more engaged in classes where they are actually able to comprehend what they have learned. They are being taught critical thinking skills such as reflection, interpreting, exploring, and many more. The students are learning critical reading skills by connecting with the stories and internalizing them . They are then demonstrating their thoughts & feelings into writing by putting them in their journals and apply that to their work.
The Freedom Writers Foundation has three books to help tell their story & teachings. The freedom writers diary, teach with your heart , and teaching hope. In 2007 Erin Gruwell’s story came to life on screen which introduced the world to this wonderful story and teaching style.
For more information about the Freedom Writers go to www.freedomwritersfoundation.org
