Freedom Writers Ms. Erin Gruwell

After blogging about what makes a good teacher or our own idea of one and than beginning the movie Freedom Writers and watching Ms. Erin Gruwell and her teaching style she is the perfect example of what a teacher is supposed to be like. Life isn't easy and jobs are not supposed to be a piece of cake either. Life threw a curve ball and Erin in this movie, her very first teaching job and she gets stuck with what the school seems to believe the kids who wont graduate let alone finish the year out. And even though each day is hard for her and she comes home after work crying on some days she makes the most of the time she has with these kids and takes a different teaching style to help them anyways and that alone makes a fabulous teacher. There is never one style of teaching we are all different and learn things in different ways from one another. Erin hasn't given up on those kids even though her staff does nothing but talk badly about them and begin to make fun of her for thinking she can help them. As a teacher you're there to help kids and be an example and even help guide them because you never know what someone's home life is like and you might be the only adult figure in their life that is willing to give them a chance. Giving those students journals was one of the best things Erin did for them so far in the movie because you could tell those kids were dying for someone to talk to even if that meant writing their feelings in a journal or life stories in one because they know Erin is going to read them. You can also tell from the students leaving the journals behind they trust her. I highly doubt that they would have left them behind for any other teacher in that school to read. Kids are not stupid they know when people respect them and when people think they are nothing. Erin Gruwell couldn't be a better teacher.

My idea of a good teacher

Being a teacher is a gift it is not a job made for everyone and its more difficult than people make it out to be. Although salary can be low that doesn't make the job pointless or easy which is what people tend to think. Being a good teacher is someone who had patience with everyone you can put other peoples needs first and you enjoy helping others. You have to have a good personality when I look back on my favorite teachers it's the classes I enjoyed the most because my teacher put in so much effort to make the class all it could be. Kids only want to get involved if the teacher makes the subject interesting. Meeting the criteria for a class expectation is important and every teacher needs to meet it and have goals for their classrooms because students are there to learn and as a teacher that is your job. And if you can reach that goal you have done your job. A good teacher isn't just someone that is smart but it is someone that has a good personality and can make students want to learn and truly make them learn. It is easy for someone to do something but it isn't always easy to teach someone how to do something let alone a whole classroom of kids and have them take it with them and enjoy it.

Audre Lorde

Lorde suffered from being nearly blind but despite her disability she knew she wanted to read the day she met the librian who had a big impact on her life. Rather than seeing a child throwing a tantrum and getting as far away from that child as possible which is what most people do the librian went over to Lorde and asked if she would like to hear a story. The libriain than reicived Lordre's undivded attention I truly beleive this shows children need teachers like the librian who have patience and are willing to give children the benifit of the doubt. Unlike the teachers Lorde came acorss when starting at the public school and her first grade teacher at the Catholic school. Her teacher at the public school didnt want to accept that Lordre was capable of more than there academic criteria for the class and chose to recognize her potential as disobedience. Thankfully having her mother on her side she than was moved to catholic school which sadly wasnt much of an improvment. Her new teacher having no patience for her and seperating the class into two groups "good and bad". Teachers are people who are meant to be caring and enjoy to watch their students grow. Lordre encountered another expierence of her going above and beyond but rather than being recognized for it her catholic teacher accused her of her parents helping her. Assuming there was no way she could do that newspaper homework assignment on her own in that way. Teaching is not supposed to be that way i couldnt imagine being in a class as a child that was ran that way.

School's killing creativity

The more Ken went on explaining his opinion on education and how schools rob kids of their creativity and that there has been a bar set for every individual to reach the more I couldn't help but agree with him. Education is so important for children and adults learning the basics and the core classes that are required help us in life and educate us to become successful in careers that we chose. But so is creativity when I look back on my education elementary school was the only time when music class wasn't an option. There was PE, music, and library on certain days of the week all of which were required to take. But as soon as junior high and high school came requirements changed and music became nothing but an elective. When Ken said that people don't take classes because that's not what they are going to be when they grow up it is so true. And those creative dancing, music, and art classes are forgotten about. Having a PhD in life is not going to make everyone happy that isn't what everyone's goal is in life and that should be okay. We aren't supposed to all be the same we are all different and no one should set the bar for you in life. Education is important but creativity is what truly defines us as individuals.

Main point of my narrtive essay

After reading my narrative essay I would like readers to have a good idea of what a narrative essay is and an important educational experience of mine. My educational essay was about how skating formed me into who I am today and the memories I got to take from it which I will have with me for ever.

Educational Narrative Final Draft

Learning the ways of the Ice

We all have role models in life. Athletes we hope to be as good as someday, models and actresses we want to look and act like. When I was 8 years old my role model was Michelle Kwan. The most graceful and elegant figure skater to ever skate in my eyes. How could someone have so much talent? How could someone balance all their weight on a blade so thin and jump and spin on it with no fear? I was amazed, I have always loved watching the winter Olympics from as far back as I can remember and the figure skating was always my favorite event to watch. I wanted to learn how to skate I wanted to posses the talent that all those Olympic skaters had.

I was 8 years old when my mom took my friend and me to the Bremerton Ice Arena for fun. We rented the ugly brown skates they had there that were dull as a worn out ax, but I was so excited to get on the ice. The very first day I was hooked. I knew it was something I loved and wanted to stick with. This would be my sport.  Granted the first day was rough not knowing what I was doing, and my friend and I were out there just having a good time but as the day went on I got the hang of my balance and I was a natural.  I started in group lessons with all the other little kids that had the same goal and dream as I did but it wasn't enough, I needed more. I craved more.  I was catching on so quickly and I didn't want to wait for the rest of the group to move on to the next lesson. So I talked to my mom and she asked the coach and I started private lessons. My first coach’s name was Brenda. She was such a good coach for me to start with she taught me so much, I started with about 2 lessons a week and I practiced about 3 or 4 times a week in the beginning. This then moved to me coming in 5 days a week before and after school. Waking up at 5 am to go to Bremerton from Indianola was not the easiest thing but I did it and I wanted to. Now that I look back I had never been so dedicated to something in my life. I couldn't imagine having to wake up that early now to go do anything unless it was a job per say.

I remember my first competition I was so nervous it was over in Shoreline at this god awful rink there. I couldn’t tell you the name of the music I skated to but I can still hear it playing in my head. I believe my first program lasted a whole minute and a half? Yes all that practice and money spent on lessons that led up to a minute and a half of my life that could end in a split second if I stumbled and fell. There were typically about 5 or 6 judges who each had a specific thing they were looking for and judging you on. For example one could favor jumps the other spins and the other chirography. And when everything was added up that’s how they determined who came first who came last and all the others in between. After the first competition was out of the woods there were more to come. Competition season came just like every other sport it was typically from March until June possibly July. And they were all over the place the furthest I traveled for one was southern Oregon. Travelling was one of my favorite parts it was so much fun to go stay in a hotel with my whole family or just my mom sometimes but it wasn't just us either,  every competitive skater from the rink was there with their families too. The other skaters and their families felt like my second family we all spent so much time together from the off season during summer camp at the rink all the way through competition season.

After two years of skating, when I was 11, I decided it was time for me to switch coaches.  I needed to move forward. I wanted to tell my mom, but she was really stressed out dealing with my sister who was critically ill. I didn't think my mom needed any more stress, so I handled it myself. After practice one day I told her I had let my coach go. I still remember the look on her face. I told her not to worry; I had already hired another coach, Outi Francis, from Finland! Although I felt guilty telling Brenda alone that I was practically firing her and going for someone more experienced,  she took it well. My new coach was the best coach at the rink there was no one better than her, I never would have switched coaches after switching to her. I learned so much from her I felt like I really learned to skate after being with her. She expected a lot out of me and for me to work my ass off but that’s because she was working her ass off teaching me. I didn't only switch to Outi because she had more technical experience I switched because I could see her students and how well each of their programs were put together, the chirography was beautiful and the music she picked wasn't boring and wasn't going to lull the audience to sleep. I had never been so happy, I had so much fun with her being my coach. And I had never won first place so much until I started working with her. I got so used to winning I was always a very competitive person but now that I knew how I could do I set this bar for myself and if I didn't reach it I felt as if I was failing myself. I was only 12 years old thinking like this. Thinking if it’s not first place, its last. Which is what ruined it in a way for me that I could only be happy if I was winning but that’s not what sports are about you don’t always win and you can’t always win. I wish I would have realized that a long time ago.

My last competition was July 2008. And now six years later I can remember every last detail of that day like it was yesterday. I can still smell the Ice. It became a part of me. The sound of my blades as I skated, the exhilaration and adrenaline that pumped through my veins was like nothing I have ever felt.  The Washington State Games were being held over at OVA, the nicest rink in Mount Lake Terrace. I was skating to Pirates of the Caribbean the program couldn't have been put together any better my dress couldn't have fit the music more perfectly, it was custom made with a corset like tie in the back and the stone work on it was impeccable. After my performance I knew I wasn't getting first my landing on my axle was off I didn't skate to the best of my ability that day. When the results came I took my skates off and didn't put them on but once in these six years. I had only received second place and the sad part is I couldn't tell you how many people I was up against all I knew was I wasn't first. Now that I am almost 20 I regret quitting like that after all the years of hard work I put into it. And if on that day I wouldn't have been so selfish and remember that my role model Michelle Kwan only ever got the silver medal in the Olympics but continued to go for the gold as often as she could and always had her head up maybe things wouldn't have turned out the way they did with me quitting.

 Skating formed me into the person I am today no matter what though I am a hard working dedicated person and I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so lucky I got to experience all those memories in my life. Then again maybe I wouldn't have learned so much from it if it didn't end the way it did.

Rough Draft

Learning the ways of the Ice

We all have role models in life. Athletes we hope to be as good as someday, models and actresses we want to look and act like. When I was 8 years old my role model was Michelle Qwan.The most graceful elegant figure skater to ever skate in my eyes. How could someone have so much talent how could someone balance all their weight on a blade so thin and jump and spin on it with no fear? I was amazed, I have always loved watching the winter Olympics from as far back as I can remember and the figure skating was always my favorite event to watch. I wanted to learn how to skate I wanted to learn the talent that all those Olympic skaters could do.

I was 8 years old when my mom took my friend and me to the Bremerton ice arena for fun. We rented the brown skates they had there that were dull as they could be but I was so excited to get on the ice. After the very first day I knew it was something I loved and wanted to stick with. It was my sport.  Granted the first day was rough not knowing what I was doing and my friend and I were out there just having a good time but as the day went on I got the hang of my balance out there and I was a natural. I started in group lesson with all the other little kids that had the same goal and dream as I did but it wasn’t enough I needed one on one time with the coach I was catching on so quickly and I didn’t want to wait for the rest of the group to move on to the next lesson. So I talked to my mom and the coach and I started one on one lessons. My first coach’s name was Brenda. She was such a good coach for me to start with she taught me so much, I started with about 2 lessons a week and I practiced about 3 or 4 times a week in the beginning. This then moved to me coming in 5 days a week before and after school. Waking up at 5 am to go to Bremerton was not the easiest thing but I did it and I wanted to now that I look back I was never so dedicated to something in my life. I couldn’t imagine having to wake up that early now to go do something besides if it was a job pre say.

I remember my first competition I was so nervous it was over in shoreline at this god awful rink there. I couldn’t tell you the name of the music skated to but I can still here it playing in my head. I believe my first one lasted a while minute and a half? Yes all that practice and money spent on lessons for a minute and a half. There was typically about 5 or 6 judges who each had a specific thing they were looking for and judging you on. For example one could have jumps the other spins and the other chorography. And when everything was added up that’s how they determined who came first who came last and all the other in between. After the first competition was out of the woods there were more to come. Competition season came just like every other sport it was typically from March until June possibly July. And they were all over the place the furthest I travelled for one was southern Oregon. Travelling for one was one of my favorite parts it was so much fun to go stay in a hotel with my whole family or just my mom sometimes but it wasn’t just us either every competitive skater from the rink was there with their families to. The other skaters and their families felt like my second family we all spent so much time together from the off season during summer camp at the rink all the way through competition season.

After two years of skating I decided it was time for me to switch coaches I was ready and I did feel guilty and bad for having to tell Brenda alone that I was practically firing her and going for someone more experienced but she took it well. My new coach was Outi she was from Finland. She was the best coach at the rink there was no one better than her I never would have switched coaches after switching to her. I learned so much from her I felt like I really learned to skate after being with her. She expected a lot out of me and for me to work my ass off but that’s because she was working her ass off into teaching me. I didn’t only switch to Outi because she had more technical experience I switched because I could see her skaters and how well each of their programs were put together the chorography was beautiful and the music she picked wasn’t boring and wasn’t going to put the audience to sleep. I had never been so happy and had so much fun with her being my coach. And I had never won first so much until I started working with her. I got so used to winning I was always a very competitive person but now that I knew how I could do I set this bar for myself and if I didn’t reach it I felt as if I was failing myself. I was only 12 years old thinking like this. Thinking if it’s not first place its last. Which is what ruined it in a way for me that I could only be happy if I was winning but that’s not what sports are about you don’t always win and you can’t always win. I wish I would have realized that a long time ago.

My last competition was July 2008. And now six years later I can remember every last detail of that day like it was yesterday. I can still smell the Ice of the rink. The Washington State Games were being held over at the nicest rink in Edmonds. I was skating to Pirates of the Caribbean the program couldn’t have been put together any better my dress couldn’t have fit the music better it was custom made with a corset like tie in the back and the stone work done on it was impeccable. After my performance I knew I wasn’t getting first my landing on my axel was off I didn’t skate to the best of my ability that day. When the results came I took my skates off and didn’t put them on but once in these six years. I had only received second place and the sad part is I couldn’t tell you how many people I was up against all I knew was I wasn’t first. Now that I am almost 20 I regret quitting like that after all the hard work I put into it. And if on that day I wouldn’t have been so selfish and remember that my remodel Michelle Qwan only ever got the silver medal in the Olympics but continued to go for the gold as much as she could and always had her head up maybe things wouldn’t have turned out the way they did with me quitting. Skating formed me into the person I am today no matter what though I am a hard working dedicated person and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am so lucky I got to experience all those memories in my life. Then again maybe I wouldn’t have learned so much from it if it didn’t end the way it did.