Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today, we are writing about Courtney Freels, a Work-Based Learning Teacher/Coordinator at the Troup County Career Center. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Courtney Freels has worked in education for 14 years. In August of 2020, she started with the Troup County School System as a Marketing instructor at THINC College and Career Academy. Then in August of 2022, she began working at the Troup County Career Center.

Courtney is married to Elliott. They have been married for 11 years and have two children. Their daughter, Emma, is nine and plays travel soccer. Their son, Ethan, is six and attends Champions Training Academy for Ninja Gladiator classes.

When Freels taught marketing, she was a Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) advisor and loved it.  As a Work-Based Learning Teacher, she helps out with several career, technical and student organizations.

When their schedules allow, Freels and her children volunteer on Saturdays.

 What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?)

“I became inspired to teach when I worked in corporate human resources. I would interview and train many high school employees. I loved helping and sharing basic workforce knowledge with them. After being invited to schools to speak and work with students on resumes and interviewing skills, I knew teaching was my passion.”

“I am a teacher because of Irene Leverett, a retired CTAE Supervisor from Shaw High School.  Once I knew I wanted to teach, I applied for Business Education positions in almost every county of Georgia and sent follow-up emails to principals.  At the time, my degree was not in education (I had an MBA), and I was not considered ‘highly qualified,’ so I did not receive responses.  Ms. Leverett called me and asked if I wanted to interview for a Marketing Education position at her school. The following week, I drove 4 hours for an interview.  Needless to say, I was offered a position and moved across Georgia to become a teacher. I am thankful that Ms. Leverett gave me the opportunity to do what I love! Without her, I’m not sure I would be a teacher today.”

 What are your career aspirations?

“My career aspiration is to continue working with students and employers.  I have the best position because I work with students at all three base schools and with industry leaders in our community. I love what I do, and I hope my students see that, and they find a career they love too.”

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“I would still be teaching, but not in a class setting.  I previously worked in human resources so I would probably be doing that.”

 What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers?

“I do not have any hidden talents. I like to design and create shirts for friends and family.”

 What fictional character (from a book, movie, TV show, etc.) represents your teaching style?

“I think of my students as my children and treat/teach them as I would my own. Therefore, I would say Beverly Goldberg (The Goldbergs) because I greatly care and want the best for all my students.”

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“When I taught Marketing, I had an advanced 3^rd block class.  They worked on a project about how naps can improve productivity. The students created a proposal to present to the principal explaining why students should take a nap because it would improve their learning.  Although my students had a great presentation and the principal appreciated their hard work, the request was not approved.”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

“If I could invite any historical figure to speak with my students, it would probably be Princess Diana. She led by example, was respected, and showed compassion to all people. Princess Diana did not change herself to please others, and these qualities helped her become a trusted leader among her people.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students become happy in careers they love! After they graduate, I keep in contact.  Many of my students have graduated college and entered their careers. I have students who have become news anchors, mortgage brokers, teachers, professional make-up artists, parents, and more.  They are all successful and happy.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

“The most challenging part of my job is keeping up with my student’s lingo. I love them, but I don’t know what they are talking about sometimes.”

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework?

“I had a student tell me she couldn’t complete her homework one night because her cat was feeling sad. She was a cat person and knew I was too.”

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“I was surprised and honored to be my school’s teacher of the year. I am genuinely grateful to be recognized for a career I love. I am proud to represent my school and school system.”

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities? 

“I love spending time with my children and visiting family! I have season passes to Callaway Gardens and the Liberty Pool, so you can usually find us there.”

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class?

“The majority of my students are seniors. When they graduate in May, I want them to know their worth. They are worth the career they love, they are worth being happy, and they are worth not settling for mediocrity.”