Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell

Finally a book that speaks to the truth about the obstacles, heartaches and triumphs that teachers face in the classroom everyday. With all the nonsense about testing, NCLB and politics, here is a book that honors teachers and most importantly, the children in their care. Colleges should have this as required reading, and the issues this book brings to light should be part of the curriculum. Too often young men and women leave college, enter the classroom and feel like they have been so ill prepared for the reality of teaching. We lose potentially amazing teachers simply because they felt unprepared and overwhelmed. Be prepared to laugh and cry throughout this book as you are led on a journey from the first day of school, through a typical roller coaster year, to the triumph of graduation. You will celebrate children who overcame insurmountable objects to achieve success and have a new found respect for the profession of teaching after reading, Teaching Hope.

After hearing about Teaching Hope, I was skeptical. I am a student in the teacher credential program, and I have never really felt aligned with the future educators and instructors. I didn't think that I would be interested enough to read what teachers would write. I thought it would be just another extension of the teacher's lounge, all negativity. However, I am a fan of the Freedom Writers and the Freedom Writers Foundation, so I picked up a copy of the book. I have been absolutely moved by this book. It is not full of truisms or blind positivity, but is chock-full of truth and the hope that comes from such truth. Not only could anyone learn something from this book, but it is also a poignant, hopeful book for future and current educators. The adversity and challenges educators face to simply foster a positive environment in the classroom where all students have the same access to educational success is dumbfounding. However, these teachers oftentimes overcome such adversity and learn valuable lessons from their students. We are all in this together, and each of us has a responsibility to do what we can to change education and make education and educators a top priority in this world. I've always wanted to sit down and interview all kinds of educators to hear their most moving and inspiring stories, so I could have a better sense of what to expect from being a teacher. Now, I won't have to. This book begins a much-needed dialogue with the people who are on the front lines every single day. If only law-makers and Congress would read this book, we would see a very different, more hopeful state of education in this world. The world is a better place with the Freedom Writer Teachers making a difference. I would also highly recommend The Freedom Writers Diary 10th Anniversary Edition, which has ten new journal entries, spanning the past ten years since the diary was published. The new entries make the book even more powerful.

This book is a must read for all teachers and parents. It gives an small insight into the lives of teachers from the United States and beyond - but more importantly, it shows the commonalities that are shared by all teachers. Written in a style that documents the hopes and frustrations that teachers face from the beginning of the year through the end, it personalizes education, and allows all readers to share in the common feelings and thoughts of any teacher who has spent time educating our youth. Every reader is guaranteed to find at least one story that speaks to him/her. But most importantly, it provides a sense of hope for those who practice the art of teaching - one of the most important, transformative, and rewarding careers.Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell

This is another great book to encourage teachers to listen to their students. Erin Gruwell understands the needs of her students, and gives us inspiration to follow her lead. I have shown the Freedom Writers DVD to my senior early childhood education majors to hopefully enlighten their calling to serve the children of today to become leaders of tomorrow. In Teaching Hope, we have read excerpts in class to think about how the little things we do with and for our students makes a difference in how they perceive themselves as responsible citizens in a democratic society. Using teachers' stories with preservice teachers helps them to foresee the future, and to help them establish sound relationships with students, colleagues, and families. This book addresses the teachers' need to feel confident in working through challenging situations.

Teachers from every state, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin islands detail the realities today's classrooms. It is a must read for anyone thinking of joining the profession, for anyone with a school age child, for anyone who was ever a student especially those of us who had a teacher who made a real impact on our lives.