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Erin Gruwell was born on August 15, 1969. -
Gruwell graduated from Bonita High School around 1987, which is located in La Verne, CA. -
Around 1991, Gruwell earns her Bachelor's in English Language and Literature from UCI. -
After watching the 1992 Los Angeles riots on the news, Gruwell changed her future profession from a lawyer to a teacher. She did this because she believed educating students would make more of a difference. Once they are in the courtroom it's too late. She could make more of a drastic change when they are younger and still moldable. -
Around 1993, Gruwell earns her Master's in Education and teaching credentials from CSULB. -
Gruwell began student teaching at Woodrow High School in Long Beach, CA. -
Between 1994 and 1998, the Freedom Writers garnered a great deal of media coverage, including appearances on Good Morning America, The View, and Primetime Live.
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Gruwell became a full-time teacher at Woodrow High School and continued to teach her students. -
In 1997, Gruwell founded the Freedom Writers Foundation, which positively affects communities by decreasing high school dropout rates through the replication and enhancement of the Freedom Writers Method. -
After teaching for only four years, Gruwell left Wilson High School and became a Distinguished Teacher in Residence at CSULB. -
Erin Gruwell published The Freedom Writers Diary, which was written by her students (the Freedom Writers) and herself. -
Erin Gruwell publishes her autobiography which shares her experiences teaching the Freedom Writers. It is called Teach with Your Heart: Lessons I Learned from the Freedom Writers. -
In 2007, the movie, Freedom Writers, is released. This film tells Erin Gruwell's story and the Freedom Writers'.