What a truly inspirational film! How can failure come from within? The educational system seems to be the failure. There are teachers who really do make a difference, and Erin Gruwell did make a difference to the teens she motivated to succeed. Sometimes it is necessary to go beyond the simple text books...to get the kids to think and reason and come up with their own solutions to life's problems. But sometimes new ways of teaching are frowned upon; stick to the traditional methods from the 20th Century. Kids need role models, aside from sports and entertainment figures. A teacher may not be the glamorous, bling-bling adorned person society treats respectfully. But dare to disagree with a student of any teacher and you will find the most daring adversaries to cross paths with. Whatever a teacher says is law and Lord knows how many dinner conversations are enthralling thanks to the new things a child has learned in a classroom.
I had great teachers...Sister Theresa Carmel in 1st grade who assured my mother that I would speak fluent English by mid-year. No need for ESL. Miss Hansen, my first "crush"- tall blonde from the perspective of a 3rd grader. Miss Weaver, who made history so exciting and even more exciting when she shared her photos of her trip to Europe in the summer of 1967. Sister Andrew Marie, who was my inspiration to enter the education field.
Br. Schmitz, who made English classes interesting, especially when he did his Paul Lynde impressions. Br. Loughran, who would treat Spanish classes with stories of bullfights in Madrid and Mexico; Mr. Barbieri, drama teacher extraordinaire. My love of theatre is due to the talents and genius of this man. Oh, the plays he directed while I was in high school: The Italian Straw Hat; Mame; The Madwoman of Chaillot; Oliver!; The Doctor In Spite of Himself; West Side Story.
In college: Dr. Bede and his charming tales of India during Western Civ; Dr. Tracy Kuhn, art history teacher who forever engraved the "Venus of Willendorf" into my mind; and lovely, dear Dr. Vogric and her teaching of Italian. She was the best Italian teacher ever...patient and humorous.
I could go on with this litany of educators, but think of the educators in your life? Who really impressed you? Who made you think? Who brought out the creativity in you and did not consider you weird or different?
Check out Freedom Writers and the story it tells about people who do make a difference to our young. Check out Conrack, Stand and Deliver, and other films about teachers. Be inspired...again.
"Open a new window, open a new door; Travel a new highway, that's never been tried before..."
PS: I'm still in Cathedral City thanks to my friends convincing me to stay one day more; going home tomorrow, the 3rd of January.
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