Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Freeman.
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Natalie Freeman and I have been in education since 2010. I received a B.A. in Broadcast Communications with a minor in English from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Masters of Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University.
Before transitioning into education, I worked in media as a research analyst for KDFW Fox 4, Fox Sports Net, KTVT CBS 11, and Time Warner Cable from 2005-2010. I made the decision to enter into the education field after working with an intern from UNT who struggled with writing while working in our department. As a result, I took a leap of faith and entered an alternative certification program with Region X, and started teaching high school English at Life School Red Oak (now Life School Waxahachie). While at LSW, I also taught Journalism/Newspapers and served as the English Department Chair. I had the honor of being the Head Coach for girls’ basketball, assistant volleyball, and track from 2011-2016. My other duties included being the sponsor for the step team, creating the STAMPEDE spirit group, and serving as the senior class sponsor for the classes of 2013-2016.
Due to my only son entering high school in 2015, I made the decision to transition from athletic coaching and focused solely on teaching and moving into instructional leadership. In 2016, I transitioned to Nimitz High School (Irving ISD) and taught English as a Lead Teacher. With the encouragement of my then assistant principal (Anne-Lauren Marrs), I enrolled into Lamar Univ. to complete my principal certification. As I continued to grow on the campus of Nimitz with more leadership opportunities, I knew I wanted to become more involved with curriculum and instruction.
In 2018, I transitioned to Dallas ISD and joined the Justin F. Kimball family as the ELAR/Social Studies Instructional Coach. While at Kimball I continue to wear many hats including senior class academic sponsor, Student Council sponsor, Yearbook advisor, campus social media representative, as well as serving on multiple committees.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being in education has not always been a smooth road. Throughout my career, I have faced many high moments but there have been some really low moments that created a sense of humility and strength. One of the biggest struggles I have faced was the loss of a student. I am not a person who handles death really well, so when it comes and impacts a current student that is perhaps the hardest struggle I have faced.
In my career, I have lost at least 18 students due to health issues, tragic accidents, or simply victims to violent crimes. These students all had a special place in my heart as do all of my students I have had the honor to teach, coach, or sponsor.
We never want to sit in a church or memorial remembering the short-lived life of a teenager, but I am blessed to say that all of those former students made an impact on their classmates, families, and even their community. Each year, I adjust as an educator because there seems to always be a younger student who reminds me of one of the students I lost and I use that as a sign to make a connection with that student just as I did with those who are no longer with us. It is the compassion and experience that help me overcome grief in order to be a better educator for those students who are still here.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I do some of everything. Years ago, my young adult pastor at the time (shout out to Tim Ross – Embassy City) told me that I could be the “mother to many”. At the time I was still working in media and only served in the youth ministry at my church. I was a single parent to a young son, so I was confused on what he meant. Little did I know, that within a year I would change careers and begin to work in education.
How life works is amazing. One of my first students I recognized in my English II class was also one of the student leaders in our youth group (actor Joshua Reed) and to this day he is like a son to me. Over the years, students have called me “Ms. Freeman, Mama Nat, Mama Freeman, Coach, Coach Free, and Mom). I have spent my entire career engaged with young people as they are my assignment and purpose on this earth. I do not take this assignment lightly and many times, I have the pleasure of stepping in the gap for them when they need me be it just showing up to games, walking with them during senior night, attending performances, etc. The beauty is that my students come from all various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, soci0-economic classes, and even religious entities.
What I am most known for is being me. Many students (staff and parents) initially considered me “mean” or “too strict” until they realize my heart and purpose for pushing their student(s) the way that I do. I tell all of my students and staff “there is a method to my madness” and usually they do not see it until they walk across the stage at graduation or sit in their freshman college English class and discuss novels, I made them read in high school. The difference between me and others is the fact that I treat them all the same. There is no favoritism with me. From the special needs students to the valedictorian, they all get my time, attention, correction, support, and most of all love.
What I am most proud of is the success of my students and knowing I had a little role in the men and women they have become. I have attended college graduations, weddings, baby showers, business openings, 21st birthdays, 25th birthdays, Greek probates, etc. over the years, I have written letters of recommendation, job reference letters, and even spoken on behalf of them for scholarship recognitions. No young person will ask that of someone who had not played a significant impact in their life. My former students are now social workers, truck drivers, nurses, teachers, counselors, entrepreneurs/business owners, lawyers, police officers, public servants, actors, musicians, preachers, models, authors, and military officers.
What sets me apart from others is the fact that I make it look easy with all the hats that I wear on top of my duties outside of education. I currently serve as the Graduate Advisor to an undergraduate chapter (Zeta Mu) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at the University of Texas at Arlington in which I have served in this role since 2019. It is only by the grace of the Most High, can I balance all of the responsibilities that I have and it is simply because I enjoy working with young people and young adults.
Any big plans?
Future plans include growing in my career field specifically within curriculum and instruction, but also moving to start my own consulting business in which I can partner with school districts to help redesign what learning looks like for a post-Covid generation.
I also want to get back into my non-profit, GIFTS (God’s Inspiration for Troubled Sisters), which is a mentoring program for young girls and teens who need positive yet relatable mentors to guide them into transitioning from being stuck in their dysfunctional environments (mentally, physically and emotionally) to growing into the young ladies they were created to be. After years of working with youth in the church, in education, and even with collegiate students, I continue to see a pattern with them all and I believe a solution has been granted within me to assist a generation who is crying out for help, love and positive attention.
Contact Info:
- Email: speakmissnatalie@gmail.com
- Instagram: @speakmissnatalie
- Twitter: @CoachFreeFree
Image Credits
JNM Creative Agency
