THE FREEDOM WRITERS

Erin Gruwel, a young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

What can we learn from this movie?

Get to know your students and the lives they live. Gruwell learns that her students have more to worry about than homework; her students go home to gunfire, gangs, drugs, and a host of other difficult situations.

Actively listen to students and support them. She also provides every student with a journal in order for them to have a place to discuss their feelings, their fears, and their experiences. For the first time, the students take an interest in academics.

Make it very clear to your students that you want to help them achieve their dreams. It is nothing less than a miracle that all 150 of the Freedom Writers graduates from high school and go on to college. It is likely that none of their achievements will be possible without Gruwell's fierce determination and perseverance.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Erin Gruwell
Married to Scott 

Teacher of Room 203

Energetic 

Eva Benitez
Father was arrested in front of her eyes when she was 5
See's a guy shot in front of her eyes while waiting to go to her first day of school.
Most Resistance to Erin
Testifies against her own at court

3rd generation gang member

Miss Campbell
Opposes Erin's teaching tactics
Thinks the kids in room 203 can't be trusted.
Thinks room 203 kids are lost causes
Aposses change in her department

Jamal
Thinks school is a waste of time
Outspoken

Is the target of the racist picture

Cindy

Boyfriend gets shot by Eva's gang
From Cambodia

Ben
Only white kid in class

Afraid of everyone else in room 203

Scott Casey (Erin's husband)

Married to Erin
Not supportive of Erin's endeavours to help room 203
Gets a divorce because it is not what he wanted his life to be like