Barbara Nicholson Freeman came to NAUMS, Inc. as Founding CEO on July 2, 2002.  She served in that position until her semi-retirement in July of 2025.  She had previously served as teacher and public school principal in Mississippi before moving to Texas in 1970.  

Once in Texas, she became an integral part of Effective Schools Research, led by the Texas Education Agency(TEA) and pioneered by Ron Edmonds. This sytem demonstrates that all children can learn, and schools can override student background factors through high expectations, strong leadershijp, and an orderly environment. Key factors of excellence include a focused mission, frequent monitoring of student progress, maximum instructional time, and orderly school climate.

While serving in the Raymondville Independent School District for twenty-one years, she became the second female school principal, later serving as Federal Programs Supervisor, authoring Title I Guidelines for RISD, grades K-12, while in this position.

She holds master’s degrees in education and school administration, including life-time certitication by the TEA in K-12 teaching, supervision, and school administration.

She entered the field of Christian education when she became high school principal at Ft. Worth’s Southwest Christian School, leading the school to SACS-CASI Accreditation and later becoming an Academic Specialist.

In spring of 2002, she met and prayed with a founder and member of the Grace Preparatory School Board, as well as the founding principal of that school.  Grace Prep later became the nation’s first University-Model® School. That position led Mrs. Feeman to serve as the founder and CEO of NAUMS, Inc. for twenty-three years

One of her children, who was valedictorian of her Senior Class in high school, enrolled two of her children at Grace Prep, the nation’s first University-Model School, and this experience led Mrs. Freeman to hybrid education in Texas.

Today, Mrs. Freeman serves as Director of Accreditation for NAUMS, Inc. and is working toward a second round of system accreditation for NAUMS with Cognia, the largest accreditation agency in the world.

Currently, she is in the process of serving as founder and CEO of the 4C Consortium, serving hybrid schools in Classical, Christian, and Collaborative Education across America.

She married John Nicholson III, her childhood sweetheart, in 1962, and upon his death in 1997, she met and married Chuck Freeman in 1999, an architect and owner of Callahan & Freeman, Architects.  Mr. Freeman passed away in December of 2024, but Mrs. Freeman continues to stay active in the field of Christian education.  As she says frequently, “Children are my life and Christian hybrid education is the lifeblood of education today.”

One of Mrs. Freeman’s passions is recognizing teachers as essential drivers, helping them remain well-prepared and passionate about their students.  They are indeed the heart of their schools, essential for quality education.

Mrs. Freeman’s most recent honor was being asked to serve on the board of ChrisCorps Commission in Wyoming.  She looks forward to serving the educational needs of Christian parents and students in Wyoming, Texas, and beyond.