“Freedom Writers Diary” Author Back by Popular Demand
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2000
Amy Bryan
530-898-4260
Charles Zartman
Center of Bilingual/Multicultural Education
530-898-4026
“Freedom Writers Diary” Author Back by Popular Demand
Erin Gruwell, the teacher associated with “The Freedom Writers Diary,” will share her inspirational story at California State University, Chico on Monday, November 27, from 2:15 to 4:00 p.m. in PAC 135.
“The Freedom Writers Diary” is a collection of journals that Gruwell and her students wrote. The book tells the tale of a young teacher and the at-risk students she had reached.
Gruwell began her teaching career at Long Beach Wilson High School in fall1994. In her position, she was assigned multiple sections of Freshman English, a total of 150 students. Her colleagues had dubbed these students “unteachable and at-risk.”
Gruwell made school interesting for her students. She threw out the meticulously planned lessons and brought subjects to life using new books, guest speakers and field trips.
Through a variety of circumstances, Gruwell taught this same group of students English all four years. Except for one student who died, all of these students now attend college.
The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Center of Bilingual/Multicultural Education at 898-4026.
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