Local Teacher Featured in New Freedom Writer Book

Heather Meldrum is not your average elementary school teacher. This is her third career.  She's worked in hospitals and banks, but says she's most comfortable in front of a class full of kids.

Monday, August 24th 2009, 5:44 pm

By: News 9


By Darren Brown, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY--  Heather Meldrum is not your average elementary school teacher. This is her third career. She's worked in hospitals and banks, but says she's most comfortable in front of a class full of kids.

Brainstorming in Meldrum's fourth grade class at Western Village Academy is anything but boring. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, her  class was challenged to come up with descriptive phrases and words for the word "pickle."

"Sour Wower" and "Sour and Yummy for your Pot Belly Tummy" were some of the suggestions from the exercise to encourage the students' creative writing skills.

Meldrum credits Erin Gruwell for her teaching techniques.  Gruwell is the California teacher who transformed her class of under-achieving students into the "Freedom Writers," a group of students who overcame racism, drugs, everyday violence and more to become college graduates.

A few years ago Meldrum had the opportunity to meet Gruwell and hear some of her students speak about their personal experiences in Gruwell's classroom.  Meldrum was already on track to get her teaching degree, but the students' stories motivated her even more.

"When I saw the effects that a teacher can have on a child, and when that teacher is willing to give themselves 100 percent to that classroom, that's what made the difference for me," Meldrum said. "She didn't do everything for them, but she gave them the skills to do the things to be successful." 

Medrum also made an impression on Gruwell, enough to get her an invitation to submit a story for Gruwell's latest book "Teaching Hope." 

More than 100 educators from across the United States and Canada contributed to the book.  Meldrum was one of two teachers from Oklahoma invited to submit stories.

"The book is designed to kinda let the world know that teaching isn't from 8 'til 4 all the time," Meldrum said.  "And it's not bulletin boards and apples on your desk."

Meldrum's story contribution is one filled with emotions, both hers and her students.

"I lose my mom through the story," said Meldrum.  "And that's what my story is about, trying to teach while my mom is dying."

And though her story was difficult to tell, Meldrum is glad that she was able to let go of her grief through writing.  It's something she plans to pass on to her students.

"Once they realize they have that freedom that they can write, that they can express themselves, and then you show them how to do it, they're unstoppable," she said.  

Heather Meldrum will be available to sign copies of "Teaching Hope" on Tuesday, August 25 at Barnes and Noble, 13800 N. May Avenue.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

August 24th, 2009

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024