Rachel Freeman School of Engineering
Lead Teachers: Lindsey Williams: Special Education Teacher and Marsha Revels: Art Teacher
This piece was composed by the students and staff of Rachel Freeman School of Engineering.
Rachel Freeman School of Engineering is named after a Wilmington Activist who was passionate about eliminating racism and empowering women in her community. A former member of the New Hanover County Board of Education, Rachel Freeman fought relentlessly to improve educational opportunities for Wilmington students, ensuring equitable access to a quality education for Black and white students in Wilmington. Rachel Freeman continued her activism in Wilmington despite her diagnosis of Sarcoidosis, a chronic illness that impacted her eyesight and ability to walk.
Her resilience in the face of challenges and opposition is embodied in the students and staff of Rachel Freeman School of Engineering to this day. Freeman students and families painted stars and names onto this piece of art. In this important moment in our nation's history, our students can make an impact by using their voices to advocate for change in their community. Freeman staff also added stars to show that we stand with our students and families in the fight to make Wilmington a safer, more equal city. The staff of Rachel Freeman School of Engineering stands with Wilmington's Black community, and together this work of art demonstrates the declaration that the lives of our Black students and their families matter to our city. Their views, dreams and ideas are critical to the development of a more inclusive, equal Wilmington.
As Freeman teachers, we acknowledge the painful legacy of racism passed down through Wilmington's history, and our important role as educators to confront it. We want to take this opportunity to provide our students with a safe and healthy opportunity for civic engagement and self-expression, and pair it with a visual reminder that we will protect, celebrate and nurture the young Black lives that walk into our school. As Wilmington teachers, we commit to educating the next generation about Wilmington's true history, celebrating our Black students and working to dispel racism wherever it emerges in our community.
(Tap the Image to take a better look!)
Lindsey Williams: Special Education Teacher
Masha Revels: Art Teacher