💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth Hedlund, Class of 2022

Meet Elizabeth Hedlund, a proud Freeland alum who recently graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Communication. She is also currently serving as a marketing intern for a local business in Freeland, continuing to build her creative career close to home.

Some of Elizabeth’s favorite memories from Freeland include spending time with friends and being part of classes that encouraged her creativity, especially Mr. Shaw’s Band class, Mrs. Williamson’s Choir class, and Mrs. Klida’s art classes.

Since graduating, one accomplishment she is especially proud of is helping develop a video game, combining creativity, design, and collaboration in a unique and exciting way.

Her advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Follow your passions, even if they sound weird or crazy. There is always something out there for you.”

Elizabeth says being a Falcon means remembering where you started and appreciating the experiences that helped shape who you are today.

#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar
10 days ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight- Elizabeth Hedlund. Freeland Community School District. Photo of Elizabeth smiling in front of a window holding a graduation cap.
💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Lance Haenlein, Class of 2019

Meet Lance Haenlein, a proud Freeland alum currently working for the Michigan Department of Corrections while also pursuing his passion for music as a member of the band Commitment Issues, with new music on the way soon.

Lance’s favorite memories from Freeland include walking through the hallways, saying hello to classmates and staff, and seeing how something as simple as a smile or greeting could brighten someone’s day.

Since graduating, he is most proud of building a meaningful career with the MDOC and witnessing real rehabilitation and positive change in people’s lives. He shares that helping others recognize their potential has become deeply important to him.
Outside of work, Lance discovered that his love for music went beyond just listening. Over the years, he began playing, singing, and performing, turning music into one of the biggest passions in his life.

One of the lessons that shaped Lance the most came from former Freeland staff member Mr. DeRop, who taught him that success and happiness can go hand in hand. “You can have hobbies, do what you love, and still be financially successful as long as you keep trying,” he shared.

His advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Don’t listen to what people say about you. You’re not dumb, you’re not stupid, and you can make genuine change in your life if you choose to. Life will hit you with problems, but if you keep pushing forward and overcoming them, nothing can stop you.”

Lance hopes future Falcons continue believing in themselves regardless of their background, reminding students that hard work, persistence, and hope can take them farther than they ever imagined.

#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar
24 days ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight- Lance Haerlein. Freeland community school district. Picture of Lance in his car smiling.
💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Scott Miller, Class of 1988

Meet Scott Miller, a proud Freeland alum and Michigan Technological University graduate who now serves as Director of R&D at Dow. He lives in Freeland with his wife, Tracy, and is a proud dad to two seniors at Freeland High School.

Scott’s favorite memories from his time at Freeland include spending time with friends, playing basketball, and going to school dances, simple moments that made a lasting impact.

Since graduating, he is most proud of earning his degree from MTU, building a successful career at Dow, and, most importantly, raising a great family.

After spending time away, Scott and his family chose to return to Freeland to raise their children, recognizing the strength and support of the community.
His advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Don’t let books get in the way of a good education.”

Scott believes being a Falcon means being part of a strong community with opportunities to grow, and he hopes that the tradition of success and support continues for future generations.

#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar
about 1 month ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight- Scott Miller. Freeland Community school district. Scott posing in front of a tree with smile and grey shirt.
We are excited to share that the Freeland Community School District now has a Food Pantry located at Freeland High School, available to support our student families in times of need.

A special thank you goes to our counseling intern, Ally, donors, and the Mu Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International) at Central Michigan University for generously matching a $200 donation. Because of their support and efforts, we are now able to provide food assistance to families when needed.

If your family is in need of a food basket before summer break, or at any point during the school year, please reach out to your building principal or school counselor.

If you need food support during the summer months, please contact Renee Wulff at wulffr@freelandschools.net.

At Freeland Community Schools, we are committed to supporting the whole child, and that means supporting our families, too. 💚

#FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive #FalconFamily
about 2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland High School - Imagine. Innovate. Thrive - Food Pantry. Includes a photo of the food pantry.
💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Scott Miller, Class of 1988

Meet Scott Miller, a proud Freeland alum who is a graduate of Michigan Technological University and now serves as Director of R&D at Dow. He lives in Freeland with his wife, Tracy, and is a proud dad to two seniors at Freeland High School.

Scott’s favorite memories from his time at Freeland include spending time with friends, playing basketball, and going to school dances, simple moments that made a lasting impact.

Since graduating, he is most proud of earning his degree from MTU, building a successful career at Dow, and most importantly, raising a great family.

After spending time away, Scott and his family chose to return to Freeland to raise their children, recognizing the strength and support of the community.

His advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Don’t let books get in the way of a good education.”

Scott believes being a Falcon means being part of a strong community with opportunities to grow, and he hopes that tradition of success and support continues for future generations.
#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar
about 2 months ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight: Scott Miller. Freeland Community School District. Photo of Scot wearing great zipup smiling  in front of tree background.
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are defining the Profile of a Freeland Graduate, a clear vision of the knowledge, skills, and attributes we strive to develop in every student before they leave our halls.

💚An Adaptable and Productive Leader is prepared to lead and work well with others.

Freeland graduates are adaptable and productive leaders, able to adjust to new conditions, work effectively with others, prioritize and manage time effectively, lead by example, and maintain flexibility.

#ImagineInnovateThrive #FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive
about 2 months ago, Media Team
Profile of a Freeland Graduate. Adaptable and Productive leader: Prepared to lead and work well with others. Students are adaptable and productive leaders, able to adjust to new conditions, work effectively with others, prioritize  and manage time effectively, lead by example, and maintain flexibility. Strategic Plan updates. Freeland Community School District.
💚 Freeland Alumni—We Want to Hear From You! 💚

Do you want to share your academic journey with past, present and future Falcons? Fill out this form to be featured as we celebrate the incredible stories of Freeland graduates and the many ways they’re making a difference in the world. If you or someone you know is a proud Freeland alum, we’d love to feature you!

📋 Fill out the short form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSficxBfdsonHuGIJBeTM3x1gdnX6obIMN8n9a8xH4D3Y16oaQ/viewform?usp=preview

Tag a Freeland alum in the comments who you think should be featured! Once a Falcon, always a Falcon! 🦅

#FalconPride #ForeverAFalcon #FalconsFlyFar #BuiltToSoar #GoFreeland
about 2 months ago, Media Team
alumni call with Freelands green falcon logo
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are defining the Profile of a Freeland Graduate, a clear vision of the knowledge, skills, and attributes we strive to develop in every student before they leave our halls.

💚A Digital Learner is prepared to embrace a changing world.

Freeland graduates are effective communicators who actively collaborate, value diverse perspectives, empathize with others, and proficiently engage in digital, face-to-face, and media-based communication.

#ImagineInnovateThrive #FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive
2 months ago, Media Team
Profile of a Freeland Graduate. Digital Learner: Prepared to embrace a changing world. Students are effective communicators  who actively collaborate, value diverse perspectives, empathize with others, and proficiently engage in digital, face-to-face, and media-based communication. Strategic Plan updates. Freeland community school district.
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are defining the Profile of a Freeland Graduate, a clear vision of the knowledge, skills, and attributes we strive to develop in every student before they leave our halls.

💚An Empowered Individual is prepared to thrive.

Freeland graduates develop a strong sense of identity, confidently embrace their individuality, values, and beliefs, paving the path for personal growth and authentic contributions to society.

#ImagineInnovateThrive #FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive
2 months ago, Media Team
Profile of a Freeland Graduate. Empowered Individual: Prepared to thrive. Students develop a strong sense of identity, confidently embrace their individuality, values, and beliefs, paving  the path for personal growth and  authentic contributions to society. Strategic Plan Updates. Freeland Community school district.
🍏✨ Teacher Appreciation Week

Today we’re celebrating our district Instructional Coaches and our Specials Teachers at Freeland Learning Center and Freeland Elementary!

From art, music, and PE to the behind-the-scenes support of instructional coaching, these educators bring creativity, energy, and expertise into every student’s day. They enrich learning experiences, support our classroom teachers, and help students discover new interests, talents, and ways to grow.
Thank you for the passion, collaboration, and care you bring to our schools.

You make a lasting impact on both students and staff every single day! 💚🤍

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #FreelandFamily
2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland Community School District Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of Specials Teachers for FLC and FES
Freeland Community School District Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of  Instructional Coaches
🍏✨ Teacher Appreciation Week

At Freeland High School, teachers prepare students for what’s next—whether that’s college, careers, or life beyond the classroom. They challenge, mentor, and inspire students to think bigger and reach higher.

Thank you for investing in our students’ futures and helping them soar beyond Freeland! 💚🤍

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #FreelandFamily
2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of English Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of Fine Arts Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of Math Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of PE + Health and Foreign Language Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of Science Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of Social Studies Teachers
Freeland High School Teacher Appreciation Week with Photos of Special Education Teachers
🍏✨ Teacher Appreciation Week

At Freeland Middle School, teachers show up every day to support, guide, and challenge students during such an important time in their growth. They help students build confidence, navigate challenges, and discover who they are.
Thank you for your dedication, patience, and impact. 💚🤍

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #FreelandFamily
2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland Middle School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 7th grade teachers.
Freeland Middle School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 8th grade teachers.
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are defining the Profile of a Freeland Graduate, a clear vision of the knowledge, skills, and attributes we strive to develop in every student before they leave our halls.

💚A Self-Directed Learner is prepared to learn and grow.

Freeland graduates are empowered by self-direction. Students embrace the freedom to choose their learning pathway, enabling personal growth, self-discovery, and a deep understanding of the world around them, while unlocking a multitude of options and possibilities for their future.

#ImagineInnovateThrive #FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive
2 months ago, Media Team
Profile Of the Freeland Graduate. Self Directed Learner: Prepared to learn and grow.  Empowered by self-direction, students embrace the freedom to choose their learning pathway, enabling personal growth, self-discovery, and a deep understanding of the world around them, while unlocking a multitude of options and possibilities for their future. Strategic plan updates. Freeland community school district.
🍏✨ Teacher Appreciation Week

At Freeland Elementary School, teachers go above and beyond to make learning engaging, meaningful, and fun. They inspire growth, encourage creativity, and help every student feel seen and supported.

Thank you for the energy and care you bring to your classrooms each day. 💚🤍

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #FreelandFamily
2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 2nd Grade Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 3rd Grade Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 4th Grade Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 5th Grade Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 6th Grade Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of Academic Intervention Teachers
Freeland Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of Special Education Teachers
🍏✨ Teacher Appreciation Week

At Freeland Learning Center, our youngest learners are guided by teachers who lead with patience, kindness, and heart. Every day, they help students build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

Thank you for creating such a strong and joyful start for our Falcons. 💚🤍

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #FreelandFamily
2 months ago, Media Team
Freeland Learning Center Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of Young 5s  teachers.
Freeland Learning Center Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of K Grade teachers.
Freeland Learning Center Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of 1st Grade teachers.
Freeland Learning Center Teacher Appreciation Week with photos of Special Education teachers.
💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Madison Zavala (Oberle), Class of 2020

Meet Madison Zavala (Oberle), a proud Freeland alum who is currently raising her one year old daughter while working in childcare at Good Shepherd Early Childhood Center and taking online classes through Southern New Hampshire University to earn her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and Psychology.
Some of Madison’s favorite memories from Freeland include eating lunch in Mrs. Klida’s classroom and spending time in Mrs. Williamson’s choir class, where she built many of the friendships that meant the most to her during high school.
Since graduating, Madison is most proud of balancing the responsibilities of raising her daughter on a single income while continuing to work and pursue her college education at the same time.

Her advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Be yourself. The staff always has your back, even if you feel like an outcast. One day, when everyone graduates, the cliques you and your peers were in won’t matter or define the person you become. Sometimes classmates can be mean and make you feel small, but at the end of the day, you’re you and that’s all that matters. Be you, loudly and proudly.”

#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar
2 months ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight= Madison Zavala (Oberle). Freeland Community School District. Photo of Madison In front of a large body of water smiling looking to the right of the camera.
✨ Staff Spotlight ✨

Bridget East, Substitute Teacher serving Freeland Elementary students, has been part of Freeland Schools for 11 years. What began as a temporary position after being laid off from a pharmaceutical sales role quickly turned into a calling she couldn’t walk away from.

“I fell in love with being in the classroom and with Freeland Schools,” Bridget shared. “After working here, I didn’t want to go back to the sales field.”

Bridget is quick to praise the people she works alongside every day. “We have the best teachers and staff at Freeland,” she said. “Everyone looks out for their students and their peers, and they work collaboratively to create success for kids.” She also loves watching Freeland students grow and eventually graduate, a journey she’s been fortunate to witness firsthand.

Her message to students is simple and heartfelt: “I hope each and every student knows that they are valued. Every student has the potential to be something great.” Building relationships with students and watching them grow over time is the most rewarding part of her work.

Something many people may not know about Bridget is that she once worked on Chevrolet print ads and television commercials, including the iconic “Like a Rock” truck ads, an experience that even put her in the same room as John F. Kennedy Jr.

Outside of school, Bridget enjoys watching classic shows like SVU, The Closer, and Rizzoli & Isles, and her favorite movie is the Sundance film The Way Way Back, a story about a young person finding his way. She also loves trying TikTok recipes, camping annually at Ranch Rudolf, and spending time with family. A memorable camping trip there even helped her family decide to move to Freeland after meeting the Helmreich family.

Bridget describes herself as dedicated and quick-witted, loves anything that pairs well with cheesy potatoes, and enjoys traveling, especially to Florida during the Christmas season. She says the small-town feel of Freeland and the way everyone supports one another is what makes the community so special.

Thank you, Mrs. East, for your dedication, heart, and the positive relationships you build with Freeland students every day. We’re grateful you found your place here! 💚🤍

#FreelandFalcons #FreelandMI #GoFalcons
2 months ago, Media Team
Staff spotlight: Bridget East, Substitute teacher Freeland  elementary school.  Photo of Bridget standing with her familly.
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are defining the Profile of a Freeland Graduate, a clear vision of the knowledge, skills, and attributes we strive to develop in every student before they leave our halls.

💚A Confident Thinker is prepared to think and engage.

Freeland graduates are confident thinkers and innovative problem solvers, adept at utilizing a wide range of strategies to tackle challenges with critical and creative thinking.

#ImagineInnovateThrive #FalconPride #TogetherWeThrive
2 months ago, Media Team
Profile of the Freeland Graduate: Confident Thinking. Prepared to think and engage.   Students are confident thinkers and innovative problem solvers, adept at utilizing a wide range of strategies to  tackle challenges with critical and  creative thinking. Strategic Plan Updates. Freeland Community School District.
Growing Writers, Building Ideas 📝💚

Mrs. Bowen and Mrs. Quast have been using the POW + TIDE framework to support student writing this year. Through this approach, they’ve seen great growth in students’ confidence and ability to organize and express their ideas.

Recently, they began a collaboration to take their students' writing one step further! Mrs. Bowen introduced a new idea inspired by a text in our Magnetic Reading program about Little Free Libraries. This has sparked the beginning of a passion project that connects reading, writing, and real-world impact in a meaningful way for students.

Stay tuned for updates as this exciting project begins to take shape!

#FalconPride #GoFalcons #ImagineInnovateThrive
3 months ago, Media Team
Growing Writers, Building Ideas. Freeland Community School District. Imagine. Innovate. Thrive.

💚🤍 Falcon Alumni Spotlight: Grace Clark, Class of 2017

Meet Grace Clark, a proud Freeland alum who is currently working as a psychiatric Registered Nurse while attending Chamberlain University to earn her Master’s degree in Nursing and become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Since graduating from Freeland, Grace is especially proud of earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing and being nominated for a DAISY Award at her job, a recognition that honors nurses who provide exceptional patient care.
One lesson that has shaped Grace’s journey is learning that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone. Trying new things, even when they feel uncertain, has helped her gain confidence and embrace new opportunities along the way.

Her advice for current Falcons:
💬 “Take advantage of the opportunities around you. Get involved in activities, try new things, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. High school goes by quickly, so make the most of your time and build relationships with people who support you.”

Grace hopes the future of Freeland Schools continues to focus on growth, opportunity, and strong school pride, helping every student feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential.

#FalconPride #FalconFamily #ForeverAFalcon #GoFalcons #FalconsFlyFar

3 months ago, Media Team
Alumni Spotlight- Grace Clark. Freeland Community School District. Photo of Grace in graden in front of Art in the Alley sign wearing grey baker college sweatshirt.