Freedom Writers

During bible study the other night, we watched a clip from the movie Freedom Writers. You know, the part where she firmly tells her student that he is not failing. I was only able to watch part of that movie once when I was substitute teaching, but I really resonated with how the teacher invested in the lives of her students.

As a substitute teacher, I can often walk into a room and pinpoint the students that will cause problems or test me. It is something that I learned from being a mental health counselor. As we were transitioning from one class to another, I spotted the next main challenge. Looking at the entire class, I realized that this class would be mostly high school boys and the circumstances for me subbing weren't the greatest. A boy straight out said, "I am going to start a fight."

Rather than use the obvious teacher response, I decided to use a different approach. I went up to the boy before class started and asked questions about himself. What he liked to do and how could he use those interests to succeed in life. What was his favorite class? Why was he upset right now?

I realized through this conversation that not only did he not get the attention that he needed in life, but he also did not have enough people that believed in him. His goals. His dreams. By taking the time to get to know him, I had avoided a classroom fight.

I think often times that people don't realize just how much impact we have on others when we simply believe in them. To say, you may not see this potential or dream inside yourself, but know that I do. To tell them that, like the teacher said in Freedom Writers, you are not failing.

To encourage them to make you proud because you truly care.

It is my hope that someday I will become a professor like the teacher in Freedom Writers. That I will inspire others to believe in the dreams that they have and act on them. Pursue them.

Someday :)