Meet the Teacher Advisory Council: Lindsay Loden of Freedom MS!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community.  You can learn more about the Council and see the full list of its members online here.

Meet Lindsay Loden of Freedom Middle School

A 20-year educator, Ms. Loden teaches sixth- and eighth-grade English language arts.  She graduated from Etowah HS in 2000 ("proud to be a product of CCSD!") and has taught at Freedom MS her entire career. At Freedom, she's taught across grade levels and subjects (Spanish, French, World Cultures, high school credit Spanish, Literature & Composition, Literacy Workshop, Social Studies, Leadership, and STEM).

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember — ever since Mrs. Larkin made kindergarten feel like magic. She sparked my love for learning, and over the years, so many amazing teachers kept that spark alive. They made school feel like home, and now I get to do the same for my students.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

What I love most is the heart of it all — getting to know my students, laughing with them, cheering them on, and watching them grow into who they're becoming. There’s nothing better than those little moments when something clicks or when a former student stops by just to say "hi." Being part of their story — and getting to know their families along the way — makes this job feel like so much more than a job.

How do you elevate the excellence in your classroom?

I believe the best learning starts with real connections. I get to know my students — their quirks, their strengths, what makes them laugh — and build a classroom where they feel safe to be themselves. When kids know you care, they show up differently. They try harder, dream bigger, and believe in themselves a little more. That’s where the excellence starts.

#CCSDElevateTheExcellence