Joel Freer
By Alberto Gilman
Newly-appointed Highland school superintendent, Joel Freer, welcomed back happy students into the school buildings, who were ready to go to class and reunite with their friends.
The Highland school district welcomed all of its students, faculty and staff back to the campuses, whereas last year, the district operated on a hybrid learning model.
“We welcomed back students today [Tuesday, Sept. 7], so lots of life was brought back into our schools today and that’s what it’s all about,” Freer said. “It was exhilarating to see kids actually come in on buses.”
Freer, originally from the Kingston area, attended and went through the Kingston school district. When heading off to college, he originally wanted to pursue a career in computer science, but soon realized that path was not for him. After exploring his options, he changed his degree to elementary education. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego.
He then pursued a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Connecticut State University. Then at the University of New England, he received a degree in Educational Leadership.
Freer’s first stop on his educational journey was in the Arlington school district, teaching 3rd and 5th grade. Freer is also certified in middle school math, where during the summer, he would teach kids from Arlington.
He then joined the Highland school district as the assistant principal of the middle school and worked there for about three years. He then was offered an elementary principal position in the Webutuck school district in Amenia, which covered three elementary schools.
When the opening for an elementary principal position appeared, Freer returned to Highland and has been the principal of the elementary school for the last 14 years.
Reflecting on becoming superintendent, Freer recognizes the importance of the role for himself in the coming months, even when stepping away from the elementary school that he has served for many years.
“My eyes were never truly on the superintendency, I always thought that maybe I would be the director of curriculum at some point. So when Mr. (Thomas) Bongiovi decided to retire, he came to me with the proposal that, would you consider the superintendency, and it took me a couple of days to think about that,” Freer said.
“The elementary school was where my heart was. And then the more I thought about it, the more I said, I know all these families in this community. I have good working relationships with the families across the community.”
Freer’s presence and impact will be missed at the elementary school, but for those who have worked with him, they offer both support and encouragement going forward in the coming days.
Ashley Hopper of Highland Elementary first started in 2009 and is now in her thirteenth year of teaching at the school. Working with Mr. Freer these past years, she wishes the best for him as he steps into the new role, knowing he will do great things for the district.
“From all the years that I have known him on a personal and professional level, I can confidently say that he puts his heart and soul into every task at hand,” Hopper said. “He has an impeccable work ethic. He has always been incredibly responsive to every need that arises in our building. Beyond that, you can clearly see that he cares deeply about our students, faculty and staff members and to the community at large.”
Tara Hollifiled, also of Highland Elementary, expressed her gratitude for the work that he has done for the elementary school. She described Mr. Freer as an approachable and hardworking individual, who was there to offer help and support when needed. As Mr. Freer heads on into the superintendency role, Hollifield believes that he is the right person for this position and will help the district go even further in the years to come.
Dan Sommerfeldt, also from Highland Elementary, noted that. Freer was his fifth grade teacher in the Arlington district and was one of his favorite teachers. From the lessons he learned in Freer’s classroom, Sommerfeldt applies that to his own classroom with his students each day. Sommerfeldt wishes the best for Freer in the new position going forward.
Cheryl Richter, a fifth grade teacher at Highland Elementary, has known Mr. Freer since he first started. In her 34 years of teaching, Richter says that Freer was one of the best principals she’s had.
“He’s very in tune with his employees,” Richter said “He’s not an employer, or a boss, he’s more like a friend. I think he’s going to be an asset to the district. I think the position that he’s in is going to make our district even better.”
In the coming days ahead, Freer looks to push the district forward with a supportive community and staff around him.
Freer believes that giving the students the tools they need to reinforce passions or preparing them for college or trades will help them go forward successfully. Through collaboration and listening to others perspectives is what will help accomplish these goals for the district and the students.
An example of this is technology integration on a daily basis. In the middle school, it is offering a robotics elective this year.
Even during the course of the pandemic, Freer is also thankful for the patience and kindness that the community has shown.
“Thank you for the outpouring of love that I’ve received since they announced that I would be superintendent,” Freer said. “Keep the positive spirit alive. We’re going to get through this pandemic, we’re going to get through it together. We’re going to do everything that we can to make sure that learning opportunities are there for students moving forward.”