CLEM MURRAY / Inquirer Staff Photographer
Cynthia Vega applauds classmate Jeremiah Robinson after he read his "future" essay during the last class of the Freedom Writers diary project at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School. It was the first Jeremiah read in class.
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Part 5: Surprise endings on the final day
As students finish diary entries for the year, they look to the future.
He stops and blinks hard. The students see that their teacher is about to cry.
"It's just really cool how you guys allowed everybody to have a voice in here," he continues.
"People who wouldn't say a damn thing six months ago are now willing to say things, and they are valued members of this class, valued members of this community, and... the most important thing that I'll get out of this year is what you guys grew into."
Students ask Galbraith about his future.
"I have my assignment for next year: eighth grade," he says. "This is what I do."
ONLINE EXTRA
For multimedia shows of teacher Michael Galbraith, describing how the diary project transformed his class, and to hear the once-reluctant Jeremiah Robinson read about his future, go to
Contact staff writer Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com.
