Elinor Ross CDF Freedom School
Program Leadership
Amber Spears, Executive Director
aspears@tntech.edu | 931-372-6265
Dr. Spears is an associate professor of literacy methods in the College of Education at Tennessee Tech University. Dr. Spears has directed summer programming for children in Putnam County since 2017. She led Putnam County’s Ready to be Ready summer literacy camp, then began her service as the Elinor Ross CDF Freedom School project director in 2019. Dr. Spears has worked with children, families, and communities to provide high-quality experiences for children during the summer months when school is not in session.
Spears is a former elementary school teacher and is licensed in Tennessee in K–8 elementary education, PK–3 early childhood education, and PK–12 reading specialist. She holds a Ph.D. in exceptional learning, an Ed.S. in early childhood education, a master’s in curriculum and instruction, and a bachelor’s in elementary education. Dr. Spears serves on the Advisory Board for the Literacy Association of Tennessee and was the 2018 recipient of the Literacy Professor of the Year award. In 2021, she received the Hoyte Snow Literacy Leadership Award for the Literacy Association of Tennessee
Cassie Brown, Project Director
Ms. Brown is currently a Ph.D. graduate assistant under the guidance of Dr. Amber
Spears and is pursuing her doctorate in exceptional learning with a concentration
in literacy. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a literacy
concentration and a bachelor's in elementary education.
Cassie, previously an elementary school teacher in grades K–3, holds two licenses within the state of Tennessee, elementary education (K-5) and reading specialist (K-12). She serves as the treasurer of the Upper Cumberland Literacy Association. Her journey with the Freedom School started the summer of 2023 as a servant leader intern.
Trinity Summons, Site Coordinator
Trinity is returning for a third consecutive summer with the Ross Freedom School,
first as a servant leader intern and now ascending to the role of site coordinator.
Currently pursuing a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee Tech, Trinity also brings her expertise as a dedicated 6th grade science teacher in White County. Sharing her wealth of experience and passion for education, she eagerly anticipates another summer of inspiration and growth within the program.
