Freeman named Heritage’s Teacher of the Year

Demetria and Henry Freeman are parents of two-year-old twins, Jordan and Jacob. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Heritage Elementary School has selected Demetria Freeman as Teacher of the Year.

As school counselor, Freeman conducts whole-group, small-group and individual lessons for grades K-6. She coordinates Heritage’s morning ‘TV show,’ weekend food program, character education and outside resources for student families.

“Most of all, I’m an advocate for all students and families,” Freeman said. “I honestly couldn’t do my job without Heritage’s faculty and staff. This job is not a ‘one-man show’.”

For two years, Freeman has led “The Great Kindness Challenge” “to do as many random acts of kindness as possible in one week.” At a “Kindness Station” in Freeman’s room, students wrote letters, created posters, made cards and other crafts. Students were challenged “to spread kindness to custodians, bus drivers, teachers, cafeteria staff, other students and friends.”

“It makes me proud because students understand the value of paying if forward by spreading kindness,” Freeman said.

Her fulfillment centers on “building relationships with students, faculty and parents. It’s rewarding knowing they feel comfortable to talk with me about issues in their lives,” she said. “Whether it’s good news, bad news or even a funny story, they share that moment with me.”

Students embrace anyone truly listening and genuinely caring. “I do my best to greet them by name and take time to listen,” Freeman said.

Freeman always will remember high-school teacher Sharion Williams. “She was stern, yet loving (and) always set high expectations and expected nothing less. She prepared us for life after high school.”

Furthermore, Williams constantly encouraged Freeman “to try new things and not be afraid of challenge. She made me believe in myself. She encouraged me to be more than average and that has stuck with me all these years.”

Freeman earned a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology and a master’s degree in special education at Alabama A&M University. At the University of West Alabama, she received a master’s degree in guidance/counseling. At Middle Tennessee State University, Freeman earned educational specialist credentials in administration.

Before Heritage, she taught at Kemp Elementary School in Jonesboro, Ga. and Cedar Ridge Middle School in Decatur.

Her husband Henry is a Huntsville firefighter. They have two-year-old twin sons, Jordan and Jacob.