Teaching With Purpose

Freddie Britt had no desire to go into education. 

The son and grandson of retired teachers dreamed of being a professional singer who toured the world. That drove him to become a music major at Jacksonville State University, which was a “terrible time.” 

He later switched his major to criminal justice because he felt that he had been in school too long and wanted to graduate. The former Jacksonville State student graduated with a degree in criminal justice and went through a revolving door of jobs. 

“I did everything under the sun than teach,” Freddie said. 

Some of his jobs included working in retail management and being a paralegal. Freddie also worked as a home reversal loan and foreclosure consultant. He was miserable at all of them, but there was one career he didn’t try. 

“I guess I had exhausted all other careers, and I was totally unhappy with all of them,” Freddie said. “I said to myself, ‘Well, the only thing you have not tried is teaching.’” 

A teaching assistant position opened around 2007-2008, and Freddie applied for it. He worked for an elementary school psycho-education center, now known as exceptional learning, with students with different disabilities and family and/or home issues. The job began to turn into a passion as he saw his students accomplish tasks that were once a challenge. 

“With that, I formed my teaching philosophy of teaching to the ability of the child,” Freddie said. 

Freddie believes this method allows students to see success on every level because he focuses on the things his students excel in and builds from there. That way, they’ll have the confidence to try more. His goal is to prepare students for success as they go into middle school and beyond. 

Almost 13 years later, he has carried that method with him to Pine Ridge Elementary where he has been an interrelated special education teacher for six years. This allows him to work with general education and special needs students in one classroom. 

He doesn’t take his position as a teacher lightly, especially as an African American male teacher. Black Enterprise reported that only 2% of elementary school educators are Black men. Freddie believes that Black male figures make a difference in the classroom. 

“As an African American teacher, we have a strong responsibility to our children and our community,” Freddie said. 

His hard work recently earned him the title Pine Ridge Elementary Teacher of the Year 2019-2020. This was a goal he set for himself because his mother was the 2001 Allgood Elementary Teacher of the Year. He wrote “teacher of the year 2020” on his vision board five years ago, and it manifested. 

“I’m honored, and I’m humbled by the title,” Freddie said.

The teacher of the year believes it’s the biggest honor because he was voted on by his colleagues. They also honored him with a banquet where they spoke about his dedication to the school and its students. 

“I pray that I keep going in that direction and make them proud and make my mother proud and my family proud of who I am and what I’m doing in my career,” Freddie said. 

He knows that he couldn’t have received the title without his mother’s mentorship. She has guided him on classroom management, documentation, teacher-parent relationships among many other things. The retired teacher never ceases to support Freddie as he manages the career she once had. 

“My mother has been very instrumental in teaching me those things because she’s been through it,” Freddie said. 

When Freddie leaves school on Friday, you can find him on his way to a recording studio or event. He’s a traveling singer and gospel artist who performs at an array of events and leads worship at his church and others. The singer also enjoys attending Atlanta Falcons games with his mother, spending time with his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. brothers, watching movies, traveling and shopping. 

“My life outside the classroom is like one big schedule,” Freddie said. 

Looking back, Freddie knows his purpose has led him to where he is today. His motto is “trust the process,” and his has led him to a career where he impacts others daily. 

“I love my career choice.”