June 2025 – Free 2 Teach announced a significant contribution from the Steelcase Foundation of $30,000 to support their growth to serve Limestone County. The funding will support the recently announced expansion to open the educational supply store to teachers and staff in an additional 20 schools in Athens City Schools and Limestone County Schools.
“The Steelcase Foundation proudly supports Free 2 Teach and its work in Limestone County, Alabama,” shared Trudy Ngo-Brown, a Program Officer with the Steelcase Foundation. “By expanding access to free classroom resources, Free 2 Teach helps educators build on their creativity and expertise to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences for their students without using their hard-earned salaries to do so.”
Since their expansion announcement in February 2025, Free 2 Teach has invested $89,349.25 in supplies and resources to Limestone County with the goal of empowering teachers in their work to ensure every child has access to an equitable and excellent education. Blue Springs Elementary kindergarten teacher Julie Mitchell shares about the impact the expansion has already made on her students and classroom.
“This is more than enriching, this is above and beyond,” shares Mrs. Mitchell. “I have already been three times, and the kids are always so excited to see what I bring back. They wrote thank you letters this time! There are so many supplies here that I’ve never seen before in my 28 years of teaching. Thank you so much for including us and thank you Steelcase for your support!”
“The Steelcase Foundation has been an incredible partner as we embark on this growth as an organization to impact and invest in Limestone County,” shared Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling. “They believe in creating the conditions where people across the communities they serve can learn and thrive. This aligns so beautifully with our vision to ensure classrooms and teachers are supported in their work to create vibrant, joyful experiences for students.”
The Steelcase Foundation was established in 1951 and focuses on investing in the communities of Kent County, Michigan and Limestone County, Alabama.
To learn more about Free 2 Teach and their work to equip and empower teachers, go to www.free2teach.org.
######
Free 2 Teach provides free resources to teachers in Madison County and Limestone County’s five public school systems. These resources are available to teachers and school staff, empowering their work and brining the community together to improving the educational experience of children and strengthenthe future workforce. For more information go to www.free2teach.org. Free 2 Teach is located at 3054 Leeman Ferry Road.
