Indiana Teacher Suspended For Using "Freedom Writers Diary"

Connie Heermann, a teacher in Indiana, was put on a one-year paid suspension after using "The Freedom Writers Diary" in her classroom after a supervisor told her not to.

On Monday, the Perry Township School Board voted 7-0 to offer Heermann, 50, the option of serving an unpaid suspension through the end of the 2008-09 school year. The board's decision was a lighter penalty than the dismissal sought by administrators.

Heermann violated a supervisor's direct decision by continuing to use "The Freedom Writers Diary" in her classroom last semester after an administrator told her to stop using the book. School officials objected to the racial slurs and stereotypes, and sexually explicit content in the book.

Heermann, a teacher for 27 years, had some supportive testimonials during the proceedings. Her support system including Erin Gruwell, the California teacher who authored the "Freedom Writers Diary".

"The Freedom Writers Diary" became a Hollywood movie in 2007, entitled "Freedom Writers". The film starred Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey.

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