Lexington One Names Kimberly Freeman Teacher of the Year

Kimberly Freeman, a world language teacher who teaches Latin to sixth- and seventh-graders at Lexington Middle, is Lexington One's newest Teacher of the Year. 

The district recognized Freeman, who also teaches Latin to students across the district virtually, at its annual Teacher of the Year celebration. 

The special celebration, honoring outstanding teachers who exemplify a commitment and dedication to educating students, took place Thursday at the Lexington One Performing Arts Center located at 2463 Augusta Highway in Lexington.

Freeman now goes on to compete in the state-level Teacher of the Year program next year. 

Freeman wrote in her application, “I love having a front row seat from which to watch a student discover the thrill of mastering something that seemed impossible, the joy in solving a problem that had been overwhelming, or the excitement of seeing connections between learning and life.

"At the core of my philosophy of education is a belief that all students must learn. In our profession, educators often assert a belief that all students can learn. I believe it is my job as a teacher to take that one step further. In my classroom, students are simply not allowed to choose not to learn.”

Freeman serves as World Language Department Head at Lexington Middle School (since 2006), yearbook co-sponsor (since 2005), public relations coordinator (since 2006), and a member of the district’s Whatever it Takes Team and World Languages Curriculum Writing Team as well as the South Carolina World Language Standards Writing Team.

With eight years educational experience, Freeman began teaching in 2004 after graduating magna cum laude and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a classical languages concentration from Furman University.

Freeman, a widely respected world language educator, is a member of the American Classical league, National Junior Classical League, South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association and South Carolina Middle School Association.

Earlier this fall, staff at each Lexington One school chose a 2012–2013 school-level teacher of the year. Those school-level teachers of the year completed written application, which were read by a team of judges.

From that judging process, five were named finalists in the district-level competition.

The other 2012-2013 Teachers of the Year who were not finalists were also honored at the celebration.

Submitted by Lexington One.