Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell Paperback – August 18, 2009

Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell Hope must be taught before there is a chance of learning subject matter. When students feel self-defeated, are hopeless, learning can't occur. Anything written by Erin Gruwell and her Freedom Writers is must reading for students, parents, all teachers, and anyone who works with or knows kids. Gruwell is easy reading but her messages can bring American education from the current thirty-seventh to the upper quarter of education in the developed countries.Side helpings of The Freedom Writers Diary and the video, The Freedom Writers, will serve complete meal of improved American education. I, actually, sleep with The Freedom Writers Diary and Teaching Hope next to my bed.Erin Gruwell and her freedom writers write with pathos and humor. She is my hero. Learn about the Freedom Writers Foundation at [...]

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.

After having the opportunity to meet Erin Gruwell and listening to her speak, I felt more inspired to read her books. After reading her books, I felt inspired to teach. I bought this book for fellow teacher who worked with inner city kids to stay in school and graduate! I would recommend this book to any teacher looking for a little inspiration!

Loved it!

While reading this book, I have laughed, I have wept, I have remembered students long forgotten, I have relived battles with administrators who had no clue that a kid was troubled. I have remembered the resignations letter I wrote "bitching" about the tracking of minority kids in the lowest classes when they were much more capable. I have thought of Dr. Doug Ball and his inspiration for me to lean more about autism. Thanks, Doug, for telling me about this wonderful book. Wish I had the money to send each member of Congress a copy.

This book is exactly what I needed. I am going into the school counseling field and every time I am feeling burned out I turn into this book and feel motivated all over again. I really love this book.

It is a collection of small stories from various teachers. Some stories I can relate to others I didn't care for.

|"Teaching Hope" is a collection of real life stories about teachers, educators and community leaders. Many of these individuals have overcome hardships in order to be where they are today. This book can be used as part of curricula for a number of topics. This book helps to relate the importance of developing correct character and building lifelong relationships.