Freedom Writers

Last Friday was reserved for our movie day for our Teaching in Physical Therapy class. We watched a movie called Freedom Writers. It is a true story and is based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell.

Erin Gruwell, the protagonist of the movie, is a new teacher at a high school. When she meets the students, they seem to not have an interest in education. In addition, they are affiliated with gangs. To motivate them, she tries different strategies in teaching. She incorporates games in class and takes the students into a field trip. She makes them read books that they can relate to and encourages them to write journal entries everyday. In the end, Erin influences the students to study and change for the better, so that they can have a better future.

The movie was immensely inspiring –the characters and their stories. Erin is very dedicated as a teacher. Giving up never came into her mind. She tried different strategies in order for the students to be interested in learning. From the beginning up until the end, she had faith in the students. The students soon became intrinsically motivated with the help of Erin. She made them believe that they can change for the better despite their past and their status in life.

As physical therapists, it is also important that we love what we are doing. We should also be devoted to our patients/clients and not just to our work. If we love what we do, then, we would find meaning in our work. We would have more purpose in life. Our life would be more meaningful.

Being a great teacher or a professional of any kind is not only based on a person’s experience, but also on his/her passion in his/her profession.