About

MISSION STATEMENT

OUR MISSION is to empower educators and students to positively impact their own lives and the world around them. 


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WHAT WE DO


  • Train educators to teach every student through challenging, relevant, and project-driven activities
  • Award scholarships to first-generation high school graduates
  • Develop challenging, high-interest curriculum
  • Lead empowering training seminars, student assemblies, classroom discussions, and professional development in-services through our Freedom Writers Outreach program

  RESULTS

  • Highly effective educators who love their jobs
  • Empowered students who graduate prepared for college and career
  • Classroom culture of tolerance and inclusion
  • Reduced dropout rates
  • Reduced instances of bullying
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ERIN'S STORY

In 1994, Erin Gruwell began teaching at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Like many first year teachers, Erin was assigned the unmotivated, unnoticed, and “unteachable” students. Erin strongly believed that education could overcome even the worst kinds of adversity and was determined that her 150 “at-risk” students should receive the same opportunities as everyone else. Four years later all 150 students, dubbed the Freedom Writers, graduated from high school.

MORE ABOUT ERIN >>

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PRESS KIT

To learn more about Erin Gruwell, the Freedom Writers, and the Freedom Writers Foundation, download the appropriate documents here. 


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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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DIRECTORS

  • Ron McJunkin, Co-Chair

  • Michelle Slavich, Co-Chair

  • Erin Gruwell

  • Scott Johnson

  • Josh Ludmir, Esq.

  • Puneet Sahi

  • Sue Fleishman

  • Donald Wing, Ph.D. 

DIRECTORS EMERITUS

  • Peter Long 
  • Mike Abercrombie
  • Karen Clark, Esq.
  • Dave Dukehart 
  • Ellen Dukehart
  • Karyn Furstman 
  • Tony Karrer, Ph.D.
  • Greg Mech
  • Dan O'Connor, Ph.D.
  • Josh Richman