Freedom Writer Teachers Summit

Okay, so here's an update. I am adding to the post that some of you have already read. I had an amazing time in LA this past weekend. I feel so rejuvenated! It's just what I needed to get me through this year and relfect on my teaching. So, here's a taste of what I was able to do. If you would like to see pics, please email me and I will send you the link. I would really rather not just post it here.

Thursday:
First we met with Erin and got a chance to see the people we had worked with during our respective institutes over the past year. It was so nice catching up. Then, we proceeded right into FWT mode and listened to Dr. Carl Cohen speak. For those of you who need a refresher, he was the superintendent of LBC schools when Erin was there. He is an amazing speaker and has done amazing things with different schools around the country. He led the fight for integration in the LBC schools, and then stuck with them to make them better schools. We also are now working with a data collection firm in order to produce some data about how these programs are working in our schools over the next few years etc.

Friday:
Left for UCLA for the day. Met with some principals who run a principal's institute. That was actually a lot of fun. But, these are the kickers for the day...We met Dr. Terrence Roberts who is one of the Little Rock Nine! And then, to follow him, we met Andrew Carroll (he edited the books War Letters and more recently, Operation Homecoming. He talked about the power of writing letters and it was very inspiring. Then we went to the theater and got a chance to see the ROUGH CUT of the documentary! OMG! I can't wait. You guys are phenomenal. I know the film is really about the book, but we actually play a big part in how it's being used in the classroom. Some of you are on there and it's amazing. Matt, Stephanie, Shelby, Madison, Gary...

Saturday:

I don't know how to get rid of the bold, sorry:)
On Saturday we met Peter Thum of Ethos water (for those of you who enjoy Starbucks, you may have already seen this). He was outstanding, talking about entrepreneurship. We also met with some people about how to find funding for your classroom. There were three parts to this day, however, that really grabbed me. The first was meeting Matt Boger and Tim Zaal. If anyone saw the Oprah where they were on, you know who they are and their story. Look them up. It's amazing. Their program is called "From Hate to Hope". Matt is gay and Tim is a former KKK member. How their paths have crossed a couple of times is a heart-breaking, yet wonderful story. The second was speaking with our editor...yes, we have an editor, because we have a book deal. I don't to say too much, but I am stoked to have a deadline and super excited. Finally, we had our own prom. I know it doesn't sound like much from the view of everything else that happened, but it was a chance for 127 Freedom Writer Teachers from all over to cut loose together and enjoy each others' company. There is just something about having a prom where everyone can be friends, everyone wants to spend time together and everyone truly has the same core beliefs in their heart, even though some may have different religions, different political affiliations, different backgrounds, ages, you name it! What a day!

So, as you can all see, I am still just elated, four days later, and plan to continue this. I am forever grateful for what lead me down this path.

Freedom Writers Teacher Camp

Well, it's actually called Freedom Writer Teachers: April Summit. I am off next Thursday through Sunday for this program. I am super excited. We will all be gathering (150 of us from around the US, Canada, etc. who participated in the institutes over the past year like I went to in June) to continue to gain knowledge on the Freedom Writers teaching methods, collaborate with other teachers on how to engage, enlighten, and empower our students through reading and writing. And, once again, this is all provided by the foundation. I am so excited. Did I say that already? It's just what I need. I have had a tough year, as I expressed before, and especially a tough month. And, while I know that Trekkie is sure to find something unproductive and just mean to say, I wanted to share with those of you who did like the book, who did find it inspiring, who did find the entries engaging and enlightening, who didn't find it "below" you to read something that is current and about kids that are not like you useless, about this exciting experience. Also, I believe we are going to get the chance to preview the documentary. I am looking forward to seeing whether or not any of our footage, your stories etc. made the final cut. So, for those of you who are interested, I will keep you posted. If you're not interested, you don't really have to check this blog, so that's on you.

No Good Title

Well, it was two weeks ago this morning that I received that awful phone call from the doctor to say that my dad had passed away. In the business that followed, I neglected to write in my journal, which I am already regretting. Over the last few months it has been a real comfort to me. I have used to it just let it all out. When I've been angry, sad, frustrated, and even when I remembered some of the really great memories. I have used it to talk about my dad and my relationship with him, and I have used it to write about my students...I think that was the biggest thing I took and was hoping you all would take from reading The Freedom Writers Diary too. It's about how you can use writing to change your life, to reflect on your experiences and to share your story. Sometimes our stories are very personal and we can't ever imagine sharing those secrets...but think of how freeing it was for some of those original Freedom Writers to put it on paper, send it out in the world and say "I survived!"...I guess that's what I am using my journal for...saying, through all of this crap, I am still here and I am surviving. Yes, I use some "bad" words in my journal, I talk about things that are important to know who I am and what I have been through...does that mean they are "inappropriate" and no one should read them? I know, those skeptics are still thinking in the back of their minds "yes...", but I still disagree. I will continue to stand up and say that if you don't feel that reading words or about situations that you think are inappropriate for YOU, that is definitely your right and you should exercise that right. However, that does not give you the right to decide what IS appropriate and very valuable for others. That is why it is called an opt-out policy.