Dear Friends of Freedom in Education,
Recently, my husband and I drove our youngest child, our son, to Virginia to begin a new career in welding after his recent graduation from trade school. As we watched him walk toward his apartment and this next season of life, my heart was full of the emotions many parents know well — pride, gratitude, excitement, and yes, a few tears.
During the long drive home, we found ourselves talking about all the people who helped shape him into the young man he is becoming. Parents carry a great responsibility, but no child gets there alone.
We talked about teachers who encouraged him, challenged him, and cared enough to notice him when he needed guidance. We remembered family members who poured wisdom into his life, mentors who spoke truth, coaches who pushed him, and church leaders who helped steady his path.
One teacher in particular came to mind — someone who saw him during a season when he felt a little unsure of himself and helped him gain confidence. Before we left virginia, he reached out to Zack and invited him to breakfast to wish him well.
As parents, we often celebrate the visible milestones — a graduation, a first job, a move into a first apartment. What we do not always see as clearly are the many quiet investments made by others along the way.
That is one reason I care so deeply about teachers.
At Freedom in Education, we believe that if we want stronger outcomes for students, we must invest in the people who teach them every day.
Teachers carry tremendous responsibility. They build knowledge, shape confidence, model character, and sometimes provide exactly the encouragement a child needs at the right moment. Yet too often, teachers are asked to do this work without access to the kind of practical, high-quality professional development that helps them grow in their craft.
That is why, over the next two months, Freedom in Education is hosting two teacher conferences — one in Georgia and one in Texas — in partnership with researchED.
These events will bring respected educators and experts together to share practical, research-informed strategies teachers can take directly back to their classrooms.
We are working hard to keep costs low and provide scholarships wherever possible, because we never want finances to be the reason a teacher cannot attend.
Would you consider making a gift today to help us invest in teachers?
Your support can help:
- Lower registration costs for educators
- Provide scholarships for teachers who need assistance
- Expand access to meaningful professional development
- Strengthen classroom instruction that benefits students
If you would like to make an ongoing difference, I would also love to invite you to join us:
Monthly gifts of $25, $50, or $100 will help us support more teachers, host more conferences, and expand this work across the country. We will also keep you updated on the impact of your generosity.
Many of us remember bringing a small gift to a teacher at the end of the year — cookies, flowers, or a handwritten note — simply to say thank you.
This is another way to say thank you.
Thank you for believing in students. Thank you for valuing teachers. Thank you for standing with Freedom in Education.
With gratitude,
Melissa Jackson
President
Freedom in Education
