Freeman happy in new home

GUEYDAN — Phillip Freeman, originally from Baton Rouge, has made his home in Vermilion Parish and is currently the assistant principal at Gueydan High School.
Graduating from Scotlandville in 1996, Phillip first attended Nicholls State University as a history major before transferring to Southern University to obtain a degree in Economics and Finance. His initial career plan was to work with a financial firm, specifically in brokering. However, as a part of his final graduating credits, Freeman began volunteering with the South Baton Rouge Big Buddy Program which partnered mentors with low income kids. It was this series of encounters that would forever change the scope of the young man’s life.
Phillip explains, “I got involved with the kids and saw them going through difficult situations. I asked myself what I could do to help change their situation. So I decided to become involved in education. I felt it was the best thing to do. You can either complain about the problem or become a part of the solution. So I am going to be a part of the solution.” Since deciding upon education as his permanent career, Phillip has earned two more degrees: an Alternative Certification from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master’s in Administrative Education from Lamar.
Freeman’s first teaching job was in 2005 at Franklin Sr. High where he spent two years teaching World and United States History, and was an assistant coach for the football and track team. He then transferred to North Vermilion High where he taught World Geography for two years. After, he spent a year at teaching seventh grade American History, also supervising in-school suspension. While at North Vermilion, Phillip was the assistant coach for football, baseball, and softball as well as the head coach for girls’ basketball.
In January of this year, Phillip obtained his first administrative position as the assistant principal at Gueydan High School. He is also Gueydan’s assistant football coach. Freeman believes in hands on action. He enjoys being involved in the community, but prefers to remain low key. He feels that his show-and-tell mentality helps to set an example to the area youth that they should practice what they preach. One of his main goals is to encourage kids to become community oriented, and to pay it forward both at home and in their surrounding neighborhoods. When asked if there are any changes in store at Gueydan High, Phillip stated that he would like to wait a full school year to become acclimated before he considers implementing any major changes.
“Things are going well,” Freemen reveals, “This is a great place to start. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by good people here. I have found a good mentor in Brandy Broussard, the head principal. And, I am well supported by my family. I am very blessed”
Phillip, who says he has no regrets about deviating from his initial career choice, also had this to say, “I will stay in Gueydan for as long as they will have me. I would like to eventually move up in the next three to five years and become a principal somewhere or work in the central office. I’m always looking for the next challenge. It’s good to keep myself motivated.”
Phillip Freeman, his wife Laurel, and their daughter Whitney currently reside in Abbeville.