Carpe noctem

Day 5, we find ourselves watching a film about a how a teacher changed the lives of her students.  It was a story of their struggles against race, prejudices, less than ideal living conditions, and the educational and judicial system. Everyday they see and try to live through the harsher face of life. It has made them hard, skeptical, and untrusting of the world. That is the challenge their teacher, Mrs. Gruwell, accepted when she decided to teach the English class of room 203. 

These kids are different and the same. And Mrs Gruwell used that to foster camaraderie and unity in them. The learning environment she provided helped them become better versions of themselves; to defeat their demons and live in the light. She encouraged them to read and be curious. She taught them that if they put their minds in to it, they can make it happen. She gave them opportunities to explore the world of possibilities and made them realize that there's more out there. Most important of all, she gave them hope. 

The story of the Freedom Writers was a very inspiring one. The image of the teacher depicted in the film makes one aspire to become the same. One that gives hope and inspires enthusiasm in learning.

As PTs, we are teachers too. If I could be half as much of an educator as Mrs Gruwell was, I'd be patting myself on the back for having such an effect on my students. I'd be telling my students carpe noctem. That they should not only endeavor to seize the day but seize the night, too. Because demons hide in the dark. And so to defeat our own, we fight them where we must.