MADISON – A familiar personality in Madison City Schools, Demetria Freeman now is working as Assistant Principal at Madison Elementary School.

“I absolutely love the feeling that I get each day when walking into Madison Elementary. It is truly a special place with special people,” Freeman said.

“The teachers, students and parents have welcomed me with open arms and warm hearts,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with our faculty and staff to foster relationships and help students achieve academic success.”

In previous assignments, Freeman worked as counselor, instructional partner, reading coach, special education teacher and assistant principal at Heritage Elementary School. Most recently, she worked as assistant principal at Rainbow Elementary School.

Freeman believes all children can learn and succeed, especially when teachers use various learning styles and strategies. Freeman constantly strives to help students grow academically, socially and emotionally. As a disciplinarian, she is consistent and fair so students can grow and learn from their mistakes.

In 1998, she moved to the Madison area to attend Alabama A&M University. “I absolutely love the Madison community. It’s such a wonderful place to live and to raise my children,” Freeman said.

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

“I’ll never forget my very first principal, Dr. Valya Lee, at Kemp Elementary in Hampton, Ga. She was always very professional. Not only did she set very high expectations for all teachers and students, she equipped us with tools and knowledge necessary to meet expectations,” Freeman said.

“Dr. Lee continuously inspected what she expected … that played a major role in my growth as a first-year teacher. These are all characteristics I hope to bring to Madison Elementary,” Freeman said.

Demetria’s husband Henry works as a firefighter in Huntsville. Their four-year-old twins, Jordan and Jacob, attend Lindsay Lane Christian Academy.

She is a member of St. Luke Christian Church in Huntsville and Alpha Kappa Alpha.