Stephanie Free

Senior Specialist, Southwest

sfree@niet.org

Stephanie Free brings over 30 years of service in the Texas public education system. She has served as a teacher in physical education and special education, At-Risk Coordinator, an elementary, freshman center, and high school principal, executive director of schools and school improvement, and a school leadership specialist with an education service center. She has also served as an assistant professor in Educational Administration. She is known as a collaborative and student-centered leader who believes that all children deserve access to high quality instructional practices.

Stephanie received her bachelor’s degrees from Lubbock Christian University and her educational administration degree from Angelo State University. Along with her bachelor’s and master’s degree, Stephanie also earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University.

Why are you passionate about working at NIET?

I’m passionate about working with NIET because I truly believe in the significance of strengthening educators to foster student growth. Every child deserves a quality education from exceptional teachers. I love working alongside both teachers and leaders to enhance their skills and encourage positive changes that will benefit every student in their school. By focusing on developing strong teachers and leaders and creating systems for excellence, we can open up countless opportunities for students. It's a real honor to be an educator and to support others in this profession.

What do you do in your free time?

In my spare time, I really enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs. We love going camping and hiking together. When we're not out camping, you can usually find us cooking on the grill and relaxing in our backyard. My husband and I are scuba divers, and we love exploring the underwater beauty in Bonaire, where we take in the ocean's wonders and search for sea creatures.

Who is your favorite teacher?

When asked, "Who is my favorite teacher?" I realized I have two favorites. The first is my high school volleyball coach, Patty Jones. She not only showed me the importance of hard work but also the value of creating a plan of action to achieve my goals. Patty enhanced my skills by teaching me the fundamentals of the game, but she also contributed to my overall development by helping me grow my emotional intelligence. Leading by example and with integrity, she held her players to the same high standards she set for herself.

The second is my second-grade teacher, Mr. Randall. I remember feeling safe in his classroom, where he always encouraged us to take risks and embrace new challenges in our learning. Mr. Randall wanted us to take ownership of our education, setting our own goals for growth. He instilled a growth mindset in his students and taught us that "failing forward" is a crucial part of the learning process. In his class, I felt valued and understood.

Reflecting on my experiences with both of these remarkable teachers, I realize that what draws me to want to emulate them is their holistic approach to education—supporting the whole child, not just focusing on academics.