Our beloved principal was spotlighted as Abbeville's City Hall celebrates Black History Month by interviewing local educators. Here is the Facebook post:
He took on the role of Principal in 2022. Mr. Freeman has such an important role in our community being a leader of our impressionable youth in Abbeville. We want to thank you for taking on this role in our community. Thank you for being a part of the solution. We asked him a few questions about his career in education and the future of Abbeville and this is what he said:
"Education has always been viewed as a passport to opportunities that weren't readily available to my grandparents. A way to remove limitations and push boundaries that are often taken for granted today. While a formal education has always been important, it was the informal education that took place within the class setting that I cherish the most. I come from a long line of educators ranging from great aunts, to uncles, cousins, and a sister who currently teaches collegiately. Yet, being an educator was the farthest thing from a career I could imagine doing for a livelihood. The idea of becoming an educator came about as I was serving my community service hours as a student at Southern University. I remember tutoring students in elementary school for the Big Buddy organization, and seeing their frustration as they struggled through their assignments. There was a young man that was having a horrible day, and to this day I can recall him saying that maybe the teachers were right. Maybe I am dumb and won't amount to anything. I related to that feeling because of my own experiences I've witnessed with friends of my own. I decided then I could either be part of the problem, or the solution. I chose to be part of the solution. Rather than become reactionary and complain, I chose to be responsive and involved.
Abbeville is the closest thing to my most fondest memories of splitting time between my grandparents in Ferriday and Frogmore. There is an appreciation for the simpler things, a bond between families that is unspoken, along with a blue collar work ethic that reminds me of home. Various pockets of Abbeville remind me of my grandparents' home and growing up in Baton Rouge. I enjoy waking up and going to work in Abbeville and spending time with the people of this community. Seeing the people of Abbeville and their commitment to build something not only for their children, but their children's children.
I envision Abbeville as a place where compromise is not viewed as weakness, but strength to create opportunities of sustainable growth. Where the community rally and unite behind a common cause."