Love Them First Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary

Love Them First Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary is a compelling, character-driven documentary that seamlessly blends education, hardship, resilience, and triumph. It stars charismatic principal Mauri Melander Friestleben and the resilient elementary school students of Lucy Laney. These children, coming from the most impoverished neighborhoods of North Minneapolis, illuminate the narrative with their heart-tugging stories of resilience and dedication.

The title of the film, Love Them First Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary, signifies the ethos of the school festooned by the relentless principal, Friestleben. She ardently believes in the power of love and compassion as the first step in altering the narrative of her students' lives—the majority of whom come from low-income families with many having experienced trauma. These students face tremendous odds imposed by societal inequities including poverty, violence, and racial discrimination.

The film follows the challenges and triumphs over the course of a year at this often underserved school. Viewers witness the unique approach of the empathetic and passionate Friestleben, who injects love, care, and persistence into her students' academic journey. This approach extends to the team of dedicated educators working alongside her who believe in the potential of their students and refuse to let them be defined by their demographics or statistics.

The film also presents an honest analysis of the school's performance. Lucy Laney Elementary had been perennially classified as one of the lowest-performing schools in Minnesota, a fact that Friestleben and her staff were determined to change. This determination to help their students succeed academically serves as the film’s predominant narrative thread.

The film gives equal focus to the personal stories of the students, particularly of an assertive fourth-grader named Shamar, whose heartbreaking backstory involves overcoming personal trials including facing housing instability, living in foster care, and losing a young friend to gun violence.

There's a beautiful juxtaposition between the brutal honesty of these students' living conditions against the colorful classrooms and the warm, vibrant school environment. This is a testament to the love the staff pours into the school and their faith in the children's potential. In contrast to the stark narrative of the low-income community, the school becomes an oasis of hope, a sanctuary where the children can be nurtured and encouraged.

It also deployed interviews and firsthand stories with students' parents, obtaining a more comprehensive perspective. The parents share their desires for their children to overcome the hardships of their environment and to outperform the expectations the society might have of them.

Intertwined within these narratives are timely discussions on race, social disparity, and systemic challenges like educational inequality. The film does an excellent job of shining a light on the far-reaching effects of these societal issues, particularly on children's education. Instead of shying away, Love Them First Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary confronts these subjects head-on, painting a poignant and thought-provoking picture of how they affect low-income communities and schools.

However, beyond the somber realities, the underlying message of the film is vibrantly uplifting, emphasizing the transformational power of love, dedication, and education. Principal Friestleben embodies this spirit of resilience, and her powerful, unwavering belief echoes through the halls of Lucy Laney Elementary, "You've got to love them first."

Finally, the film cuts to the heart of what makes a school more than just a haven for education. It's about a community of students, parents, teachers, and leaders like Mauri Friestleben, who passionately and collectively work towards overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. By doing so, they inspire everyone, reinforcing the belief that change starts with a single act of love.

Overall, Love Them First Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary is an inspirational film that highlights the powerful difference a passionate and loving leader and educators can make in their community and the world around them. It is not just a historic footprint of the struggles and victories of a specific school community; it resonates universally, inspiring viewers to observe, question, and change the narrative on education, race, and social propriety in their communities.