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teaches about something good and something bad. In Freedom Wrier movie, the author also wants to deliver message for the audience. By delivering the message,
the audience can take the moral value from the movie and take it as a lesson. Through the characteristics and conflicts of Erin, the writer tries to reveal the
messages of the movie
1. A teacher should be optimistic and enthusiastic
The first message that can be learnt from the characteristics of Erin is that as a teacher should be optimistic and enthusiastic in teaching. According to
Woolfolk 1980, a teacher carries a role as a motivator. As a motivator, a teacher should be optimistic and enthusiastic to gain the students
’ attention. From the first time Erin teaches the 203 class, she comes with an enthusiastic and optimistic
feeling to teach the students. She shows that she really wants to teach the students even when she knows that the class consists of untouchable students.
From the conflicts faced by Erin, it can be seen that optimistic and enthusiastic characteristics are needed for teacher in teaching. Even though she
finds many conflicts in teaching her students, she never gives up because she has optimistic and enthusiastic characteristics. By having enthusiastic and optimistic
characteristics, it helps Erin to face the conflicts. Erin can manage her conflicts well by having optimistic and enthusiastic characteristics. It can be seen from the
way Erin faces her conflict against her father. When her father tells Erin about the bad reputation of the school, Erin does not care about it. She shows her
enthusiasm in teaching. She tells her father that she is interested in teaching the students. She chooses to not care about the reputation of the school. She is
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optimistic to make the students change. In the end of the story, it can be seen that Erin succeeds to make her dreams and the students’ dreams into reality.
2. A teacher should be professional
From the characteristics of Erin, it also can be seen that she is a professional teacher. What can be learnt is that as a teacher, professionalism is
very important. According to Surya 2005, the professionalism of a teacher can be seen through the well realization of the dedicational task given either
theoretically and methodology as cited in Kunandar, p. 47. Erin shows her professionalism by plays a role as a good motivator, good leader, and instructional
expert for the students. She also pays big attention to the students’ needs. Erin prepares the methods and the activities for the students based on the students
’ needs. It makes the goal of teaching can be achieved.
From the conflicts faced by Erin, it can be seen that even though there are many obstacles in teaching, such as family problem, not being supported by the
headmaster, insufficient materials, and not supporting environment, a teacher should be professional. Erin keeps teaching the students even though the school
regulation does not allow her to use facilities of the school for the students. She does her role as a teacher even though she does not enough support from her
surroundings. She keeps trying to do her jobs well. Another conflict that shows the professionalism of Erin is when she does not bring her family problems to the
school.
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3. A teacher should teach about humanity
