Inclusion of. . .

Movie Review 

Mrs. Gruwell as a teacher

Ms. Gruwell is a teacher with a heart who sees her students beyond the hues of characters that they displayed. This heart for her students enables her to handle her class by looking at their commonalities that made them realize that after all their same. They all are trying to overcome their own conflicts. Her approach and resourcefulness by raising a fund for her students and even work a several job for them qualifies the yesteryears teacher in her. Shes even willing to learn and relearn as what she says knowing that shes only newbie teacher. She not a type of teacher whose competitive you can see her willingness to collaborate to other teacher by asking second opinion to her co teacher specifically with regards to introducing Diary of Ann Frank. 

Composition of Mrs. Gruwell’s class

Mrs. Gruwell’s class is really diverse. Inside the classroom you will notice different races such as Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Whites and Cambodians. But with these races, you will observe racism. Students group according to their races. They are aloof with each other such that they never interact with each other. In addition, there are also moments where Asians are obviously afraid of the Americans and other races. And sometimes, Whites are being despised because of their past. These scenarios really show how racism is manifested not only in Mrs. G’s class but to the whole institution per se.

Mrs. Gruwell’s coordinator

As for Mrs. G’s coordinator, she is obviously hesitant and doubtful to Mrs. G’ class. She doubts the students’ capabilities to the extet that she would not allow Mrs. G ideas to be recognized for she thinks that Mrs. G’s class could not possibly stand it. Apparently, she is also a racist herself, the more reason she would down Mrs. G’s class. Hence, this type of person is biased and her ongoing difficulty is change. It’s hard for her to embrace change for she always sticks to what is old that she got accustomed to. Changes are needed for improvements. Thus, if persons like her continue to exist, developments would not be established.

Strategies Mrs. G used

She used game of line to get to know her students; congruently her students unknowingly learn that they have commonalities that they all lost friends and struggle to survive. This activity opens a glimpse of door for the racially diverse students to tolerate and understand each other. She gave them journal to express their truths thus enable her to understand where those disrespect and enmity came from thus pave the way for her to root down how to approach them. Additionally, she employed study trip where the students can relate that they’re not the only people who are trying to overcome hate and racial discrimination. They also have film viewing in their class where the subject is about the struggle against racial hate and discrimination. She also introduces gang-like books Diary of Anne Frank for students to read where they can relate to, which eventually increase their reading scores. Moreover, she let the students meet the actual people in the story they read for them to really grasped the feeling, story and truths in them. More importantly she gave them a chance to impart their own truths by having their journal be publish as their final projects that serves their legacy despite uncertainty that it can be read and recognize. These activities and strategies help her to be successful because it touch the students life by giving them hope through the activities where they can relate to, have the sense that theyre heard and they sanctuary in Ms. Gruwells. 

Use of technology

Mrs. G utilized technology to catch and grab the attention of her students. For instance, she used radio for playing Tupac’s rap song to relate with her students. Also, she used cards with pictures of children, projector to show a documentary, library card as well as TV. Furthermore, there was also a used of computer to encode the diary of her students for publication.

If I were Mrs. G

If I would be assigned to class or students on conflict, I think that I would be shock and at the same time feel that I would be challenge to deal with this. In dealing with this, I think that we have to get through the root of conflict. Where this coming from? What are the truths behind conflict? By tracing the root behind the conflict and hearing their truths, I will now come up with the strategies and activities where they can relate and motivated to. I would seek help like resources to get through what they need, not just throwing heavy academics stuff but also to fill the gnawing hole for their understanding. If the conflict is racially motivated that I would employed an activities where they can find their commonalities despite the large differences. 

Is the job done?

Erins father means about the question “Is the job finished?” is that he was asking her if she is done with teaching because her father only sees teaching as a job she had to finish and be gone with it. But beyond that she is not just into teaching them academic stuff but giving them hope that there’s still chance for them to change and be the best version of themselves. Realizing this, her father became so proud of her because she’s so noble to still think about her students’ futures despite her pain and heart break, for that he thinks that her job as these students’ teacher is not yet finish. He thinks that beyond teaching, her students need her as a person and as a motivator and believer of their capabilities. Mrs. G is really not just into job of teaching but to touch her students’ lives and that is the job that needs to be done.

Symbolism of Room 203

The room 203 symbolizes hope and home because it serves as their hope to change themselves for the better and it became their sanctuary where being them is not bad that their differences are not a disabling thing for them to be with each other and be friends. It helps the students to tolerate and understand each other because after all, room 203 became their second home where they should be and where they are understood and accepted. This also gave them hope to pursue their schooling and be the first graduate in their families. 
In the future the atmosphere that we would like to have is like room 203 atmospheres after Mrs. G transform it into pleasing melting pot with tolerance and understanding. It is the atmosphere we aspire to have because the students is so motivated and engaged in the learning process and they see their differences as gems that don’t necessarily divide them. We want that our classroom to be a sanctuary for diverse learners to be who they are and their truths are heard and accepted—a classroom atmosphere that buds hope in every students to be the best version of themselves.

Insights and learning

I was honestly inspired after watching the movie. It was really moving. I realized that being a teacher is really heavy in responsibility. You are responsible for all the lives inside your classroom. And understanding and caring and loving are musts to build a strong relationship with each other. Thus, being a teacher is really noble for sometimes we are the only hope of our students. Sometimes, we are the only ones who believe in them, who care for them and who love them. It is important to make them feel loved and cared so they would trust us and be open with us. On that note, we shall never give up on our students for sometimes we are their only hope.