If you want to find a place full of love, right here in Huntsville, you won't need to look any further than the free teacher supply store on Leeman Ferry Road: Free 2 Teach. As a community-supported teacher resource center, Free 2 Teach gives free supplies to public school teachers and staff at all 88 public schools in Madison County.
If you popped in, you would see teachers filling shopping carts and browsing an array of new
and gently used supplies. You would see teachers connecting. You would see volunteers and
staff welcoming teachers with a smile and helping them find stickers, or paper, or glue. You
would see excited faces as they realize there is a new shipment of books, or an arrival of gently
used rolling chairs or new STEM kits. You would see a whole lot of love.
Free 2 Teach was born out of love. Eula Battle, a retired teacher and late wife of Mayor Tommy
Battle, knew what it took to be a good teacher. It took time. It took a lot of energy. It took a lot of
hugs, and a lot of love. It also took a lot of money. She would drive to Dollar General, Walmart,
across the city to a fabric store, or across the county to a garage sale. She was always looking for items for her classroom and her students to ensure her children never went without. Her
retirement opened the door to a new chapter, and her gift to our community lives on in the work
of Free 2 Teach. Her legacy means thousands of students wake up every day and walk into
classrooms where they get a hug, a new backpack if needed, a fresh box of crayons, or an
exciting lesson, all because their teacher is supported by Free 2 Teach.
Our model is simple yet transformative: support teachers by inviting them to shop, for free, every month. We are a go-to resource for thousands of educators across our public schools, including school nurses, speech therapists, librarians and more. In 14 years, we have given away over $13.7 million in supplies, all because of a community that cares.
We know, as Eula did, that it takes a lot to grow and nurture a classroom community. That’s why
our team of volunteers, donors and supporters work tirelessly to not only provide the basics but
elevate the entire classroom experience. We provide classroom décor, student incentives,
feminine hygiene kits, classroom furniture, games, cleaning supplies and more.
Our work is focused on equipping and inspiring teachers as they prepare rigorous, joyful lessons and build happy classrooms full of engaged kids. For us at Free 2 Teach, loving on teachers means loving on kids. We believe that when kids have what they need, and teachers feel supported, the possibilities are endless. But don’t just take my word for it: here is a note from a high school teacher, Ms. Grant, about the impact our community is making on children:
My kids aren't used to getting anything new. When I return from Free 2 Teach, they love getting all the new supplies. They are always so excited to help me unpack the bags. Thank you, thank
you. -Ms. Grant.
We see so much love for teachers every day: a child donating their birthday, asking for school
supplies rather than gifts; a volunteer who loves to organize stickers and restock shelves; retired teachers who bring us their treasured books; businesses or groups who give financially or volunteer to help us complete larger projects. Our community is so supportive. This past fall, we received the largest gift in our organization’s history from Meta’s Huntsville Data Center, of
$150,000. This transformational level of funding will support our newly named Meta Checkout
Center, where teachers leave with an average of $450 in supplies when they shop with us. Every person or group who comes alongside this work makes a significant difference to education in our community, and we are so thankful.
To love teachers alongside us, learn more about volunteering, donating gently used supplies,
giving or partnering with us by heading to www.free2teach.org. We are a volunteer-powered,
community-supported organization and work to bring as many people around our kids, schools and teachers – surrounding them with a community of love.