Erin is very unconventional in her teaching methods, but I can see that they can work. I know what it is like to be the “student” again. I was put into new situations while learning how to teach my students based on Erin’s model. I too, like my own students, was forced out of my comfort zone. I completed many of the activities the Freedom Writers completed and they were not always easy feats. ![]() As my students can tell you, I am very passionate and emotional they have seen me laugh and cry with them. The workshop was an emotional roller coaster ride. I will never forget the special conversations and experiences I had with the incredible people who are trying to change education. As I often say about my experience, energy drinks and love got me through the workshop. For the first time in my life, sleep was no longer important it was crucial for me to learn as much as I could from Erin and the Freedom Writers. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. The institute was both provocative and silly as I went through a process of becoming Erin’s student and being guided through endless activities I received less than 12 hours of sleep in 6 days. The workshop emulated a freshmen classroom where I, a teacher, became a 14-year-old student not wanting to attend school again. The workshop was unlike any I ever attended it was by no means the traditional workshop where you take notes while being taught by a facilitator. Attending the workshop made me feel like a ninth grade student again as Erin took me through the journey her students went through. ![]() An experience which often leaves me speechless. Working with Erin, the FWF staff, the Freedom Writers, and the teacher counselors during the Freedom Writers Institute was like seeing overflowing cups of water, but the cups were filled with happiness, passion, and heart. Erin told me that: “the opportunity would change my life.”Ģ010- I became a high school student again. After fully coming to the realization that it was real, I became overwhelmed with the opportunity I had been blessed with. At first, I was shocked and did not fully believe what she said to me. After discussing education with Erin and answering questions about my personal teaching practices and “stories”, she offered me an opportunity to travel to Long Beach, California to work with her and the original Freedom Writers at the summer Freedom Writer Teacher Institute in 2010. Like a crazy stalker, I anxiously waited to meet her. After a year of being on the planning committee for the event, I was so looking forward to meeting her, our highlight speaker. On the day of Erin’s speaking event in Moncton, New Brunswick, I was excited beyond words to hear Erin bring her expertise to New Brunswick teachers. She provides educators the knowledge to teach using the Freedom Writers Method-a model which makes lessons relevant to kids and allows teachers to see that ‘every kid can make it’. Through the foundation, Erin offers workshops to teachers from all over the world. overcome their adversities, graduate from high school, and go to college. Erin established the Freedom Writers Foundation (FWF) to help support students in the U.S.
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