Growing up in New Jersey and graduating from Penn State University, class of 2021, Emily Freda became a special education teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Master’s in Curriculum Instruction.
In her youth, Ms. Freda had dreamt of wanting to become a veterinarian but then “found out I was allergic to dogs and cats so that quickly became not an option. Pretty much since I was young I would be playing teacher in the basement.”
Playing teacher in the basement really paid off but it officially became an interest while in high school. Freda knew “that I wanted to help people in my job, I never really knew what I wanted to do until in high school we had a PE Partners Program where I was paired with students with intellectual disabilities and that really inspired me to become a special education teacher.”
Additionally, “I love working with all students, but especially students with disabilities and helping them overcome their difficulties and getting to know them and building their confidence.”
One of her biggest influences was her 8th grade language arts teacher. Ms. Freda said “I always think about my 8th grade language arts teacher, Mrs. Whalen and she was awesome and I wish that I could contact her now and be like ‘Look at me I’m an English teacher,’ she really grew my love for reading and books, she was so cool and so fun.”
Ms. Freda is not just an English and special education teacher but she also coaches the Briar Woods Unified Sports team. “Similar to what I did in high school we had a program just like that and I loved the idea of bringing that to Briar and so when a student approached me a few years back and wanted to bring this I was like “Absolutely I’ve always loved special olympics, I’ve always loved volunteering” I was really excited to bring that to Briar.”
Students or staff members that know Ms. Freda know that she is a longtime Swiftie. “Why would I not be a Swiftie, I have always loved Taylor Swift. I have loved her since ‘Teardrops On My Guitar’ and her sparkling guitar. I love all her lyrics, I love how she brings people together, her concert was amazing. All my friends bond over her music. I love her”.
However, some people are surprised when they find out that “I’m a lefty, most people don’t know that about me. Some people pick up on it right away and other people are like “Wait you’re a lefty?” reveals Ms. Freda.
When Ms. Freda is not in the classroom teaching. “I’m a part of F45 the gym, I really like to do that with my friends. I’ve been into journaling this year which has been really fun to get into. Otherwise, I really like to be outside and go for walks just to relax.”
Ms. Freda’s smile travels through the school. Ms. Freda is a big inspiration to her students making learning more fun, she has a bubbly personality and waits by her classroom for students to enter with a big smile on her face.
