Now Introducing:
Time is flying by and FREEDOM SCHOOLS is HERE. While things look a little different this summer, our team is as mighty as ever! It is our pleasure to introduce the star studded team bringing the joy of learning to Rainier Beach students & families.
Beth Girma (she/they/he) - Freedom Schools Program Manager
Beth is an artist, activist, and growing educator. She loves reading, making crafts, playing music, and spending time outside with friends! She studied history, pre-law, and education, and loves bringing all her experiences to connect with kids in the classroom. Having taught at Freedom Schools last year, she's so excited to come back and work with students again!
Fatima Kabba (she/her) - Site Assistant & Educator
Fatima Kabba is a strong advocate for youth, focused on creating spaces where young people feel seen and empowered to overcome challenges. With years of experience in diverse communities, she helps guide youth to grow, build resilience, and lead. As a mentor, Fatima believes in the power of critical thinking and self-awareness to help young people unlock their potential. Driven by a passion for change, she works hard to make a lasting impact and lift up her community.
Katherine Johnson (she/her) - Site Assistant & Educator
Katherine is a graduate from Washington State University in Elementary Education with a minor in History. Originally from Seattle, she's devoted to creating inclusive, engaging learning environments where all scholars feel seen and supported. She's spent the last few summers working at Freedom Schools, where she loved helping scholars grow in confidence and community. When she's not in the classroom, Katherine enjoys baking, cooking, and hosting movie nights.
Mia Doan (she/her) - Program Coordinator & Educator
Mia is a triple threat: born, raised, and planning to live in South Seattle for the rest of her life; she’s ride or die for the Southend in the same way New Yorkers are for the Knicks. With her bachelor's in marine biology and master’s in elementary education from the University of Washington, she dreams of classrooms where students of color learn to love the people and places around them so much that the call to create a more just world can’t be left unanswered. The Mia essentials include the color pink, cats, silly drinks, and 2000s emo bangers. Two words: cool and cute.
Faith Richardson (she/her) - Site Assistant & Educator
Faith is an educator who’s passionate about empowering the youth! She’s originally from Renton and has always had a deep appreciation for the teachers that poured into her. She has a bachelors of arts in English and a master of public affairs. In 2024 Faith was a Freedom Schools Educator and is ecstatic to be making her return to the program! She has just finished her first year as a middle school ELA teacher in Federal Way Public Schools! Outside of pursuing her passion for education, Faith enjoys spoken word, spending time with family, and physical activities.
Campbell Dixon (she/her) - Site Assistant & Educator
Campbell was born in Oregon and has been living in Bellingham, Washington for the past two years and is in Seattle for the summer. Campbell is an educator, activist and community builder. She has a love for education of all sorts and is an advocate for youth voices. Campbell loves to travel, connect with nature, and dance. This is Campbell’s first year with Freedom Schools and is so excited to be part of the program and community.
Alyx Alcala (she/they) - Program Coordinator& Educator
Alyx is a lifelong lover of school and learning, and believes deeply in the transformative power of education! With over a decade of experience in education and youth work, Alyx brings joy and curiosity to all of their work with kids. Freedom Schools has played a special role in her development as an educator, and the program was the focal point of her Master’s thesis. Outside of learning, Alyx’s passions include music, art, nature, and movement. This is Alyx’s second summer with Freedom Schools, and they’re incredibly excited to continue learning alongside others this summer.
Marisol Montes de Oca (she/her) - Program Coordinator
Marisol is currently the Development & Communications Manager at WA-BLOC and is joining our Freedom Schools team for the summer. Marisol grew up in the Yakima Valley (Eastern Washington) and is new-ish to Seattle. Marisol loves kids’ curiosity and natural tendency to question everything around them. Her favorite thing about Freedom Schools is its track record of building meaningful intergenerational relationships. You might spot Marisol in the wild by/in/on the lake, talking to crows, and/or discovering new eats around Seattle!
