Tracey Freeman, an ISS (in school suspension) teacher at Lookout Valley High School, is a finalist in the Excellence in Education award competition.
ABOUT THE FINALISTTracey FreemanAge:Years at school: 5Education: 1985 Chattanooga High graduateFamily: Two sons, one who already graduated from Lookout Valley and another who is a junior there.QUOTES”She’ll do everything from painting a wall to fundraising for the school. She’s done about everything for the school. She’s a great supporter for out whole school and community. It’s invaluable to have people like her concerned for the kids. She has a great heart for kids.” – Lookout Valley principal Rick RushworthFUN FACTFreeman also works part time at the Lookout Valley Sonic and takes online education classes.
Typically, Tracey Freeman’s classroom wouldn’t be a place most students at Lookout Valley High School would want to find themselves. Freeman oversees the school’s In-School Suspension program, where students are sent for minor disciplinary issues. But her wide smile and peppy attitude often bring students back to her room even when they aren’t assigned there.
“Sometimes I’ll have kids come by just for a hug or a pat on the back or an encouraging word,” Freeman said. “I have an open door policy just to talk. Sometimes they don’t have that at home and sometimes I listen with a different ear than their parents. You’d be amazed what a little positive influence can mean for these kids. You never know, I may be the person that helps change their attitude and if I can do that for even one child, then I feel good about my job.”
Freeman has worked at Lookout Valley for five years, but not just in the school’s ISS program. She is also the president of the PTA, president of both the football and baseball booster clubs, as well as working with the Hamilton County PTA as well as holding a part time job at the Lookout Valley Sonic and takes online education courses.
“In a time when there are so many cut backs in the public schools, lots still needs to be done so its great to have someone willing to do so many things,” said Lookout Valley principal Rick Rushworth. “She is actively involved in all school activities. She has a very genuine and personal interest in every student. ISS is a timeout and it can be an awkward academic environment but she cares about each kid. It comes across how much she cares for all the students.”