Revisiting Erin Gruwell and The Freedom Writers Diary
Just about everyone has heard of the best-selling nonfiction book The Freedom Writers Diary, written by high school English teacher Erin Gruwell and her class of inner-city students. This collection of student experiences, which will tug at any teacher’s heart strings, was also depicted in a highly-acclaimed movie starring Hollywood celeb Hilary Swank. I stumbled across this movie again on television just yesterday, and I was reminded once more of the importance a teacher plays in the lives of his or her students, whether they are low income or at-risk or not.
The setting of the story is an inner-city high school located in Long Beach, California. The volume was published in 1999, and it was an instant success. The story line still has relevance for those who are still in the teaching profession today. This book really zeroes in on some of the challenges our kids face when they are not in school, and how much a caring and dedicated teacher can help them overcome those challenges. The movie delves a little more into the personal life of this particular teacher, and aside from the suggestion that you have to work three jobs and give up your marriage to be a good teacher, it’s pretty inspiring. (Nobody could be more hardworking and persevering than teachers wrestling with the pandemic, in my opinion.)
What I think is truly amazing is that many high school students love this book just as much as teachers do! The Freedom Writers Diary is easy to find on amazon and at just about any brick-and-mortar bookstore. Any teacher who can find a few spare hours (I know, that’s impossible, right?) could find this book helpful for inspiration and rejuvenation. Perhaps you know someone who would welcome the book as a Christmas gift! Give it some thought!
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Selena Torres: English teacher and member, Nevada State Assembly
High school English teacher and member of the Nevada State Assembly Selena Torres of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Often excellent classroom teachers also achieve success in the political realm. One teacher who has done this is Selena Torres, an English teacher from Las Vegas, Nevada, who also serves as a member of her State Assembly.
Selena was born and raised in Las Vegas. Her father is an immigrant from El Salvador who came to this country to escape the civil war in his home country. Her mother is also a high school English teacher.
A member of Teach for America, Selena earned her Associate of Arts degree in Spanish from the College of Southern Nevada in 2014 and her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2016. She has been a member of the Kappa Delta Chi Sorority since 2015.
Since 2017, Selena has been employed as an English teacher by the Clark County School District. “In my classroom, I regularly speak with my students about their future after high school,” expressed Selena. “My students are eager to be productive members of our community but are often limited by the skills they are given in the classroom. Additionally, students find it difficult to navigate higher education and trade schools to pursue the career of their dreams,” she continued. “As a Nevada legislator, I continue to be a strong voice for Nevada students and advocate for legislation that puts our students and our future first,” she concluded.
The talented classroom teacher was elected to the Nevada State Assembly on the Democratic ticket. She has represented District 3, which includes Clark County, since 2018. She is a member of the Education Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Legislative Operations and Elections Committee.
To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, check out her website at selenatorresnv.com.
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Coronavirus claims life of NYC PE teacher David Behrbom
Coronavirus claims the life of New York City Physical Education teacher David Behrbom. He was 47 years old.
With great sadness we report the loss of yet another beloved educator to the coronavirus. David Behrbom, a physical education teacher at New York City’s PS 55, passed away on April 5, 2020. He was only 47 years old.
David’s career at PS 55 spanned 15 years. The school is located in the Bronx area of the New York City. In addition to physical education, David taught math and health education. David is remembered by everyone for the annual Spring event he organized. The event was an Olympic Field Day, which brought together students and staff for a fun day of friendly athletic competition.
As a youngster, David was recognized as a talented athlete, particularly on the baseball diamond.
Outside of the classroom, David also coached Little League baseball and soccer in his home town of Ardsley in Westchester County. He enjoyed old-school hip-hop and was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees.
“As an educator, Behrbom was an amazing individual,” remarked PS 55 Principal Luis Torres. David’s co-workers shared the sentiment. “I will always remember David as a great teacher and colleague,” expressed retired teacher Maria Arroyo. Fellow educator Nalda Munroe agreed. “David was a pleasant, friendly, and encouraging teacher and co-worker,” she recalled. “His presence in my classroom will never be forgotten….the way he interacted with the students…He will surely be missed,” she said.
In March, David was diagnosed with leukemia and began undergoing chemotherapy. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with COVID-19, and was awaiting the go-ahead to use an experimental treatment that involved platelets when passed away at White Plains Hospital Center in White Plains, New York.
You can read more about David Behrbom at this link to his memorial at the United Federation of Teachers.
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Iris Stevenson: The choir director who inspired Sister Act 2
California’s Iris Stevenson , The choir director whose story served loosely as the basis for the movie Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
I am always intrigued by stories about educators who have caught the attention of Hollywood. One of these is Iris Stevenson, a Los Angeles music teacher whose story is, loosely, the basis for the hit movie Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. The movie starred Whoopi Goldberg
Iris was raised in public housing in Buffalo, New York. Her father earned his living as a blue-collar worker and part-time musician. Her mother worked as a domestic. At an early age, Iris demonstrated an extraordinary talent for music. As a young girl, she attended Villa Maria Institute, a program for talented young musicians. When she was 15, Iris earned a four-year scholarship to attend the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Once she graduated from Oberlin, Iris began teaching courses at Canisius College. She also earned her Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York, Buffalo.
In 1985 Iris relocated to southern California, where she accepted a position as a music teacher at Crenshaw High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. There she serves as the Chair of the Music Department. She also teaches piano, choir, music theory, and practical application of music at Crenshaw High School. Crenshaw has a student population that is a predominantly African American.
Under the expert leadership of Iris, Crenshaw’s choir students have performed on several national television specials. In 1992 and 1993, she escorted her students to Nice, France, to perform in the Worldwide Music Festival. Her choir also garnered first place in the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival four years in a row. In 2011, the group traveled to China to compete in the World Choir Games, where they earned a Gold Medal. In 2014, this amazing educator took her choir to the White House to perform with Jennifer Hudson for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
To read more about this amazing educator, see this story printed in the Los Angeles Times.
