Tip#951: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 4 – Learnography’s Brunchography – Freedom Writers

I recently had the honor of being the opening speaker for Learnography’s first Brunchography event hosted by CEO, Amy Coupal. It was an exciting gathering of educators from various fields networking and listening to a series of other engaging speakers. A tasty brunch was served at Toronto’s chic boutique hotel and restaurant The Beverley Hotel. I loved the eggs florentine and fresh croissants! Deeelicious!

As I mentioned in the recent tip#948 I loved the enthusiastic energy of the packed room as I launched into my presentation called “Life Lessons from the Movies”. When I asked, by a show of hands, who had seen my favourite movies Groundhog Day and Jerry Maguire most of the attendees put up their hands! I then explained how powerful these two films can be as teaching tools because these movies taught me how to manage burnout, clinical depression and maintain a positive, productive mindset over many years. Bonding over movies with the audience was so electric and enjoyable and I received some wonderful feedback.

“Emmanuel has us looking at movies through an Emotional Intelligence lens – great lessons for teens and adults.”

Terry Whitmell, Principal, Brampton Centennial Secondary School

“Emmanuel’s engaging style entertained the audience while using popular media, specifically movies, to relate to the challenges that we have all faced in our personal and professional lives.”

Stephanie Rose, Learning & Engagement Specialist

“Inspiration can come from unexpected and accessible places like the magic of film. Motivatorman reminds us that we can take control of our lives and claim the lessons we want to hear most with the ease of watching a movie.”

Juliana Trichilo Cina, Solutions Director, Learnography

“Emmanuel did a fantastic job kicking off our event. He helped connect the movies to his personal challenges and invited us to do the same. His vulnerability and honesty helped everyone relax and fully engage in our time together.”

Amy Coupal, CEO, Learnography

 Playing & working with Lego as an effective learning tool

The other speakers also brought much insight in their areas of expertise such as Learnography’s Juliana Trichilio Cina with her presentation “Does eLearning Need to Adapt”. Marguerite Mcleod-Fleming then got us all playing with Lego pieces as a unique tool for learning during her talk “Innovative & Creative Thinking”. They were followed by Gabriella Fermo with “Choosing & Using Assessment Tools”, Penny deLuna with “What no one tells you about mobile learning” and Alex Gill with “What can nonprofits learn from Google?”.

With Gabriella Fermo, Juliana Trichilo Cina and Amy Coupal

In the end what amazed me was that it felt like a full day of enjoyable learning and interaction when it was actually only noon. This is a testament to an excellent and fun event organized by Kyla Clarke and her team at Learnography! The enthusiastic energy at the event reminded me of one of my favourite movies about a real-life educator and movie hero.

Eggs Florentine. Deeelicious!

Freedom Writers (2007)

The drama film, Freedom Writers, is based on the true story of an enthusiastic teacher, Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank), who is challenged by "at-risk" students and racial tensions in a Los Angeles high school. This highly engaging story features many riveting scenes and performances with Swank and youths played powerfully by first time actors. See: movie trailer

Gruwell is faced with seemingly impossible barriers and attitudes from the students and yet she demonstrates multiple leadership qualities such as passion, perseverance, resilience, creative thinking, having a vision and indestructible optimism. She uses highly effective learning tools that slowly reach each student and allows them to release trapped emotions. They learn how to find themselves and their dreams with the unexpected help from one another.

Inspiring Themes:
• Having a Vision
• Passion
• Courage
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Creative Thinking
• Creative Expression
• Finding Yourself
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Supportive Relationships
• Family & Community

I highly recommend this inspiring film as a must-see movie for all educators. Gruwell is an outstanding cinematic role model of overflowing inner strength which is why I featured her as one of my top 15 inspiring women in the movies eBook (more info here). Learn more about the real-life Erin Gruwell and her continuing work: Freedom Writers Foundation

Movies can be a powerful learning and teaching tool for anyone of any age. They can provide us with movie heroes that demonstrate inner strengths, skills and talents that can mirror our own potential. Take a look at your favourite movies today with new, conscious eyes and recognize that they’ve already been teaching and empowering you to be the best you can be!

“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.” 
Audrey Hepburn

“That’s part of your problem, you haven’t seen enough movies. All of life’s riddles are answered in the movies.” 
Grand Canyon (1991)



Related Tips:
Tip#642: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 1 - The Croods
Tip#701: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 2 - About Time 
Tip#901: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 3 - A Home of Our Own  
Tip#951: Life Lessons in Your Favourite Movies, Part 4 – Learnography’s Brunchography – Freedom Writers  

ON SALE NOW:
Top Inspiring Women in the Movies:
15 Films for Leadership at Work & in Life
The latest eBook by Emmanuel Lopez: Click Here

LISTEN TO EMMANUEL’S CBC RADIO INTERVIEW on
MOVIE MESSAGES OF HOPE: Fresh Air Show 14 minutes

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Inspiration & Motivation 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Movie Blogger
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience & Indestructible Optimism
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2016