Meet the Real People Behind the movie,
Unique event, July 16 at the LeTourneau University Belcher Center, in Longview
KILGORE– When a racial incident occurred in her classroom, 23-year-old English teacher Erin Gruwell spun it into an ongoing dialogue that ultimately changed the lives of 150 inner-city students. ABC News correspondent Connie Chung did a documentary of the group that came to be known as the Freedom Writers and their exemplary teacher. You will be encouraged as Erin Gruwell, with one of her students Maria Reyes, share their journey through the emotional peaks and valleys on the front lines of our nation’s education system. Learn from Erin’s success in dealing with students who had been in juvenile detention, teens that belonged to gangs and those that felt like their parents and teachers had given up on them.
In the 10 years since the book was published, the Freedom Writer students have attended college, formed a foundation, and traveled the country inspiring youth. Celebrate with Maria Reyes as she shares her experiences as “one of those” students.
The afternoon session features Christian Moore from WhyTry.org. Christian will share his mission of helping students achieve opportunity, freedom, and self-respect using education and interventions that motivate and create positive change. He will teach social and emotional principles to youth in a way they can understand and remember. His motivational program is used in over 5000 schools, mental health, and correctional facilities in all 50 states, Canada, the UK and Australia. The WhyTry Program is a strength-based approach to helping youth overcome their challenges and improve outcomes in the areas of truancy, behavior and academics. It is based on sound, empirical principles, including Solution Focused Therapy, Social and Emotional Intelligences, and multisensory learning.
Both sessions will speak of personal triumphs and provide simple solutions to overcome challenges. It will inspire us to teach with our hearts and affirm that building relationships makes a difference.
School personnel, parents, community leaders, middle and high school students are encouraged to attend this unique event, July 16, 2009, at the LeTourneau University Belcher Center, in Longview, Texas, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Admission is $50.00 for adults and students are free. To register, go to www.esc7.net and click on Professional Development. Log in or create an account and enter session # 20450. You may contact Cinda Farrell at ESC 7- Kilgore: (903) 988-6822 or Susan Sullivan (903) 988-6848 if you have any questions.
