It takes ONE and ALL to make change

The work of the superintendency is filled with challenges and opportunities. Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some quality time at Bay Path College with Erin Gruwell, the self ascribed “maverick teacher” and famed author of The Freedom Writers Diary, an amazing true story of strength, courage, and achievement in the face of adversity that offers hope for schools in urban centers.

The day began with a small informal luncheon with Erin, Bay Path College officials, business leaders, foundation representatives and our Mayor. More importantly, Erin had the occasion to update us on her work through the Freedom Writers Foundation whose mission is to change the educational system one classroom at a time by providing educators with transformative tools to engage, enlighten and empower at-risk students to help them reach their full potential. The Foundation’s Freedom Writers Institute has trained over 200 teachers to strengthen their capacity in working with at-risk students.

The luncheon was followed by an evening event on campus for a film screening of “Stories from an Undeclared War” chronicling Erin’s work as a new teacher with 150 students at Wilson High School - all of whom graduated in spite of the odds. Her class was diverse in its ethnicity with many students having grown up in the tough neighborhoods of Long Beach, California and impacted by all the challenges of living in an urban center. Their work together in Classroom 203 was transformative through writing, changed lives and is now being paid forward through the Freedom Writers Foundation.

Although I’ve met Erin before, have read some of her work, and fully embrace the power of hope, my time with her yesterday was inspiring. Most importantly, it affirmed my belief that it takes many leaders, community members, parents and teachers working together to help our children realize their full potential and dreams; and yet, one person can make a significant difference.