Mansfield Teacher Named Teacher of the Year

Rayna Lee Freedman, a Dedham resident, will accept the award at the Chamber’s Spotlight on Education Breakfast on May 20. Freedman is a classroom teacher and instructional technology specialist at the Jordan/Jackson Elementary School where she has worked since 2000. She earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Vermont and a master of education degree from Lesley University.

Freedman’s creative curriculum is centered on a “secret agent” theme where everything links back to the word investigation. For students, being a secret agent means reaching high expectations, being responsible, imagining and respecting other members of the classroom. Another focus of Freedman’s teaching is on the use of technology. Freedman has personally added eight classroom desktop computers, two laptops, a wireless network and software to her classroom, in addition to getting site licenses to one software program for the entire school building.

“Creating a classroom environment where students feel like they are part of a community, become risk takers with their thinking, investigate their world, use twenty-first century learning skills, and transition into life-long learners is what I consider to be my greatest contributions and accomplishments thus far in this field,” Freedman said. “Students need a safe place to go where learning becomes an adventure for them. Their minds open to new ideas and ways of looking at things.”

As the Chamber’s Teacher of the Year, Freedman will receive a plaque, $1,000 check sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank, and will be nominated for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.