UC Hosts Freedom Writers for Day of Teacher-Student Events

On Thursday, May 12, 2011, renowned educators and authors Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers will speak with hundreds of students and educators across Cincinnati.

Centered around the launch of the Teaching Hope social justice project, a new Cincinnati initiative among educators and community partners, the day’s events at schools and universities will culminate with an evening celebration at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) with Gruwell and two of the original Freedom Writers.

The Freedom Writers story, which became a bestselling book and blockbuster film, began with a classroom of ‘at-risk’ high school students in Long Beach, CA in the 90s. From their successes, Gruwell and her students went on to form the non-profit

Freedom Writers Foundation

that supports the current conditions and futures of students, teachers, and their learning.

Along with University of Cincinnati and the NURFC, community partners for the May 12 events and Teaching Hope project include:

• Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education,
• Xavier University
• Miami University
• The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
  
• Women Writing for (a) Change

“The goal of Teaching Hope is to call attention to how schools can be involved in making social justice a priority for the health and well-being of our region,” says Mark Kohan, a University of Cincinnati doctoral student and teacher educator in the School of Education, for the Cincinnati Freedom Writers events. Kohan is a recent recipient of UC's

Just Community award

for his efforts in convening education and community organizations across the region.

Invited teachers, educators, and their students will begin a dialogue about how they can become catalysts for positive educational change.  For more information, contact Mark Kohan, Cincinnati Freedom Writers Project Coordinator, at

cincinnatifreedomwriters@gmail.com

MEDIA: Erin Gruwell is available for interviews at UC’s Teachers College on May 12 between 9:30am – 10am. or from 12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m, by appointment only. Freedom Writers are also available for interviews.