We watched this film last night as a discussion/study in 'leadership' and seeing strengths emerge at our two day staff Retreat in Mt Victoria. Despite so much work to do for the weekend it was a good 'time out' working on strengths, foundations and teamwork. This film was inspirational, mostly well made, full of symbolism and helpfully based on a true story!!
Hilary Swank plays Erin Gruwell, a new teacher inspired by her fathers 'freedom riders' experience in the 1960s, to sign up for a school with the cultural integration program. She ends up teaching in a neighbourhood at war with a class on 'freshman students' who are hard to crack.
She hangs in, hits on a plan and uses music, the holocaust, related books and the Museum to open up the students and empower them. But at what cost?
A real key to building relationship with the students was an exercise in inviting them to journal and leave their books in a lockable cupboard if they wanted Erin to read them.
The film's website includes access to some discussion resources and extends the story to the true life experiences of Erin and the students [who were in a genuine life and death struggle]. Find the info here.
Erin was: vulnerable, used gifts and wisdom, empowered the kids in their struggle, threatened the status quo and was in stark contrast to the Subject Head and other staff. The District Officer played a key role, going beyond his authority to empower the classes excursion and brokering the discussion about what happened to the class from 3rd year onwards.
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1 comment:
I saw this movie on a plane trip last year and was most impressed. It's been on my list of movies I could do something with, but haven't actually got around to.
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