Entering her thirteenth year of teaching at Ada High School, Shawn Freeman has spent the last twelve years teaching several subjects but is now shifting her focus to an area which is crucial to the development of future leaders.
“During the past twelve years I have taught Biology, Honors Biology, AP Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Mock Trial and Student Council,” said Freeman. “This year I have shifted assignments to that of Leadership I, Leadership II, Student Council and student activities and teach 10th-12th grade students.”
Freeman taught for five years, started a family, and moved states before making her way back to the Ada area.
“My husband and I moved back to the Ada area, and I was a stay at home mom. That lasted, I spent five years working as a Histology Technologist in the Pathology department at what used to be Valley View Regional Hospital, now Mercy. I loved that job but knew my heart was drawn to teaching. I taught adult classes at my church, and it was there that I knew I needed to be back in the high school classroom,” said Freeman.
Living in and around the community of Ada has been a blessing for Freeman and her family.
“Ada is amazing as a community and as a school. Our community supports our kids. My student council started Homecoming six years ago. It is not a traditional King and Queen process as the winning candidates are those that raise the most money. Every year our community supports these kids and their organizations to the total of $152,379.77 over the past six years,” Freeman said. “Then you take our philanthropy week (R.U.S.H. Real Unity Starts Here) week where the student councils help the school raise money for a cause. This event is seven years old and has provided money to local individuals to help with medical expenses and local nonprofits meet the needs within our community. The total for seven years is $78,845.00. I love teaching at Ada because the staff, administration, and students are the absolute best and are always willing to support each other.”
With a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cameron University and a Masters in Secondary Education with a concentration in science from East Central University, Freeman said the most rewarding part of being an educator is seeing her students become productive citizens.
“Most rewarding part is seeing my students bloom when they leave my building. Whether it is college, career tech, training, or just a career, seeing them be successful individuals and an active community member wherever they end up. Getting texts or messages from former students thanking me for making/helping them “get out of their box” is the best part of a day for me,” said Freeman.
Freeman and her husband of 33 years are enjoying life as empty nesters after raising three daughters by traveling and being outdoors every chance they get.
