Joanna Freels is a Shelby County school board member
Please share why you decided to run for your local school board.
Education has been my life. At a young age I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I taught school for over 34 years. After I retired from teaching, several community leaders and teachers approached me to run for school board. The school board had not had an educator on it since the 80's. I love working with children and this was a way to continue serving the schools and community. I'm glad I made that decision to run. It has been a very interesting and rewarding experience.
What is your favorite thing about serving on your local board?
I love visiting the classrooms and schools. I like to get involved with the activities at each school. I think it is important that the teachers and students know the board members and what their role is in the schools. I love it when teachers ask me to come and participate with activities in their classroom.
What activities do you enjoy doing outside your board work?
I love cross stitching, knitting and all types of needlework. I love to travel in the United States and Europe.
Name someone in your life you admire, or who inspired or helped you along the way.
There are two people I admire in my life. My Mother, Mollie Sesso, and my daughter, Stephanie Appel. My mother had to become mother and father when my father died before I was born. I always admired how strong she was to carry on after he was gone. My daughter is also very strong. I think this was a trait that was passed down to her by my mother. My daughter developed breast cancer at a young age. All through her treatments she remained strong.
Name a book/magazine/website/publication/etc. that you would recommend to other school board members.
"What School Could Be" by Ted Dintersmith
Please share something about yourself that most people may not know.
I'm half Italian