Entry Title:
Let Freedom Ring - Hillary Swank in "Freedom Writers"
by Georgia Doucette In accordance with one of Online-Education.net’s main purposes - to make practical, quality resources more easily accessible to peoples of all ages who are seeking to improve their academic skills or occupational positions - I also believe that the provision of educational tools is one of the most important tasks in today’s society. I would feel blessed to have the opportunity to inspire students from all backgrounds to deeply engage in classroom activities and assignments, to develop tolerance for diversity, and to continue their education after high school. If I could have any TV character’s career, I would undoubtedly chose Hilary Swank’s role as a high school teacher in a poor, racially segregated neighborhood in the 2007 film "Freedom Writers." Teachers are an extremely important career because they have an immense influence over the intellectual and emotional development of youth. In "Freedom Writers," main character Erin Gruwell moves from her wealthy, safe neighborhood in Newport Beach to a less-fortunate area in Long Beach, Calif. I admire Erin’s courage to take this risk and step out of her comfort zone. Erin was “welcomed” by uninterested students who were segregated into groups based on their race, ethnicity or neighborhood. These students were more concerned with paying rent and socializing with friends or persons of romantic interest than in their homework. Erin was faced with an immense challenge and fought hard to engage her students interest in academia. Erin recognized that “standard teaching methods” were not applicable to these students, and she forced herself to walk in her students’ shoes in order to understand their various lifestyles and the negative factors that were inhibiting their participation in school. I would like to have a teaching career similar to that of Erin Gruwell’s so I can apply my anthropological skills to better educate myself and others on the racial segregation and civil rights issues in today’s society. Understanding and appreciating peoples’ differences at a local level is a small yet essential step in creating a peaceful, tolerant world. In "Freedom Writers," Hilary Swank played Erin Gruwell, a teacher faced with “difficult” students who fail to comply with proper classroom behavioral rules. Teachers prioritize which academic subjects are most significant and relevant to students (because there is never enough time in a school year to teach “everything”!) and then teachers creatively prepare the way in which it should be taught. Teachers are in a position of power where they have the opportunity to positively shape the minds and attitudes of today’s youth. I think it would be incredibly rewarding to devote my intellect, emotions and future career toward ensuring the future success of high school students. As exemplified by Erin Gruwell, teachers must exhibit continual perseverance and courage. To be effective, outstanding teachers, they must stand up to members of authority in the school district, fight unfair societal norms that restrict the interaction among youth of differing racial and ethnic groups. Teachers must also seek to understand the historical and contemporary origins of the various issues that teenage students struggle with today in order to fully eradicate these problems from the schools and society at large. I believe that, if possible, everyone should challenge him/herself in a career that is intellectually demanding and also contributes to the greater good of the society of which he/she is an active member. In this respect, one is sure to lead a fulfilling life and to accomplish worthwhile tasks related to the improvement of his/her occupation and/or community. I applaud Erin Gruwell’s efforts to integrate her academic curriculum with practical activities within the community. This interactive teaching method is much more efficient and useful than lecturing students and prohibiting active involvement in the topic of study. I would like to have a career like that of TV actress Hilary Swank in "Freedom Writers" in hopes that my charisma, creativity and compassion for all students will facilitate tolerance and academic, social and occupational achievement. Erin Gruwell was not afraid to develop and utilize a new style of teaching that was more realistic and useful for her particular students, even though her unorthodox techniques were criticized by her colleagues. I am inspired by Erin Gruwell’s career and am ready to accept the challenge of teaching inner-city children for I am confident that helping “unteachable” children attend colleges and universities will be utterly rewarding. |
|
|
|
|
|
Entrepreneurship: What TV character's career would you like to have and why? |
ShareThis
RSS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Submit your comment ...
