Freedom School at Tennessee Tech University

07/18/2025

Two special moms joined us this week to read aloud to our scholars, with babies on their laps and books in their hands ! 💛

Watching them model a love for reading and a heart for volunteering made the mornings even sweeter.

07/17/2025

We had a blast today at our Freedom School Finale + Rodeo!

Huge thanks to all the families who came out to celebrate their amazing kids and to the staff and volunteers who made the afternoon so special. What a way to wrap up the summer!

07/03/2025

"Creation Majors" learned about 3D printing from engineer, ! During this time they explored different filament types, 3D CAD modeling, and learned how to use open source 3D printing websites! Scholars learned the importance of 3d printers for different aspects of daily life!

07/01/2025

Every volunteer, every donation, every bit of support makes moments like this possible. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of 30 children and their families each summer!!!

07/01/2025

We are so grateful for -City of Cookeville TN- Laurin Wheaton, Mayor’s support of our program!!!! Thanks for reading to our scholars ! 💜

I had the opportunity to read to a great group of students at Freedom School at Tennessee Tech University. They asked wonderful questions and welcomed me into their classroom! Thank you Freedom School for your summer programs that focus on literacy and leadership!

07/01/2025

There’s no better way to wind down the afternoon than with a good book and some fresh air on Tennessee Tech's gorgeous campus!

06/29/2025

In Tennessee, fewer than half of third graders are reading on grade level. In the Upper Cumberland, many children face the same challenge.

At Elinor Ross Freedom School, we focus on literacy because we believe every child deserves the chance to grow as a reader, a thinker, and a leader.

06/29/2025

We’re proud to introduce the 2025 Elinor Ross Freedom School staff!!

Each person on this team brings their own strengths to Freedom School, and together have created a space where kids feel safe, seen, and excited to come back each day!

This photo is from a team-building afternoon where we paused to say, “Hats off to a great staff” (and we truly meant it).

Amber Spears – Executive Director
Cassie Brown – Project Director
Trinity Summons – Site Coordinator
Natalee Sturgill – Lead SLI
Julia Butts – Servant Leader Intern
Anna Russell – Servant Leader Intern
Haley Kirk – Program Operations Facilitator
Daisy Hudson – Program Operations Facilitator

06/28/2025

Each Friday afternoon, scholars take home food bags filled with weekend meals, thanks to generous support from local partners, like , , & !

Freedom School may pause over the weekend, but thanks to this support, access to food doesn’t. We’re so grateful to every organization who helps makes this possible!

06/27/2025

We were so excited to welcome Dr. Christina Mick, Director of the Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness at Tennessee Tech, as a special guest reader at Freedom School this week!

Dr. Mick read Meg and the Magic of Movement, a children’s book she co-authored with her daughter, Kayla. The story follows Meg the chinchilla as she discovers how movement helps her learn in her own unique way. It’s a thoughtful and encouraging book about embracing learning differences and celebrating what makes us all wonderfully unique.

Thank you to Dr. Mick and for sharing this powerful message with our scholars and for the important work being done by Tennessee Tech’s Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness to support students and families every day.

Meg and the Magic of Movement is available now on Amazon and Kindle!

06/25/2025

Our scholars read about how community art brings people together, then put that idea into action by creating a mural celebrating the Freedom School community!

They reflected on the significance of what it means to contribute to something meaningful that others can enjoy and be inspired by, both here and in their own communities.

06/25/2025

Today scholars practiced saying hello and goodbye in different languages and talked about the many ways we can make a difference in our communities, starting with kindness and connection.

They reminded us that small things, like learning a greeting in another language, can open doors to new freindships!