Dana Freeman graduated from Livingston University in 1992 with a BS degree in Early Childhood/Elem. Education and earned her Masters degree in 2004 from the University of West Alabama. She began her career as a teacher with Demopolis City School System in 1992 at Westside Elementary. She taught kindergarten and second grade. She transferred to DMS in 2002 where she taught sixth grade English/Language Arts. While there she also sponsored the DHS danceline. In 2012, Mrs. Freeman began working for the Alabama State Department of Education as an ARI (Alabama Reading Initiative) coach. In 2016, she returned to DCS as an instructional specialist. After two years, she continued her career at University Charter School as the reading specialist where she worked until she retired. Even in retirement, Dana continued her passion for education as a reading coach with KidsFirst Education.
Mrs. Freeman left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of countless children, their families, and the entire community. She was not just a teacher, but a source of inspiration, warmth, and endless compassion to all she came in contact with. Her infectious smile had the ability to light up any room, filling it with a sense of joy and hope.
Her love for teaching was boundless, and it extended far beyond the confines of the classroom. She nurtured the minds and souls of her students, instilling in them a lifelong love for learning, especially for reading. But what set her apart was the genuine care and attention she gave to each child she met. Every child who passed through her care felt special and loved, knowing they had a teacher who believed in them.
Dana’s legacy lives on in the countless stories of her students' success. Her impact extends far beyond the pages of textbooks. She nurtured a love for books and learning that will continue to blossom in the hearts of generations to come.
Let us remember Mrs. Freeman, not with tears, but with joy for the light she brought into our lives. She may no longer be with us in person, but her memory will forever shine brightly in the smiles of the children she loved, in the books she shared, and in the knowledge she imparted.
May we carry forward her legacy by continuing to nurture a love for learning and spreading joy, just as she did.
A tribute to Mrs. Freeman in video: