From Fear to Freedom: How school choice gave my children a safe learning environment 

Tressena Jones never imagined she would leave the public school system, much less homeschool her children. But in 2018, a series of unsettling events in Texas at her children’s public schools forced her to reconsider. 

“My children started facing some bullying on their campus, and I requested a transfer to a different school,” Tressena recalled. “But soon enough, they encountered similar issues, just with a different group of students.” 

However, the pivotal moment came when her son, Avery, returned home one day, deeply shaken by an incident at school. “He just sat down next to me, unusually quiet. I asked him, ‘Avery, what’s going on?’ That’s when he told me a student had brought a gun to school,” she explained. To her dismay, the school chose not to inform the parents. “They decided not to send a letter home. That was unacceptable,” she said. 

Tressena, who worked at a different school in the same district, had an insider’s view. She knew this wasn’t the first time the district had withheld information from parents. “I saw both sides—the school was focused on protecting their image, but parents had the right to know what was happening,” she noted. This lack of transparency was part of a larger pattern of behavior within the district that left her feeling disillusioned. 

Concerned for the safety of her children, Tressena decided it was time for a change. “I knew for my peace of mind and my children’s safety, it was best to withdraw them from the public school system,” she explained. 

But transitioning to homeschooling wasn’t easy, especially for a full-time working mother. Tressena spent late nights creating learning plans and balancing her responsibilities. “It was overwhelming,” she admitted, “but I knew I had to make a different choice for their future.” 

In 2019, Tressena was offered a nonprofit leadership role which opened more educational options for her children. “A pastor I was connected to in Texas had moved to Indiana for ministry and invited me to lead a project building a community center as the executive director,” she explained. The move also gave her the opportunity to explore more schooling options due to Indiana’s various choice options. 

Tressena’s dedication to her children’s education didn’t stop with homeschooling. She sought out resources and information to ensure her children had access to quality education. 

“I didn’t want my kids’ education to suffer because of the system. I was intentional about finding the best educational opportunities for them. I was looking for funding options to support Avery’s dreams of becoming an engineer, and that’s when I discovered EdChoice and the resources they offered.” 

Tressena connected with the EdChoice Parent Corps and attended a Parent Ambassador training.  “I was so moved by the training. I even cried. For the first time, I felt like there were people fighting for families like mine,” she shared. “I wasn’t just thinking about my family—I was thinking about all the families who don’t know they have options.” 

Tressena has plans to further support families in her community by exploring the possibility of starting microschool. “I’ve heard from so many parents who are concerned about the safety and academic rigor in their local schools,” she said. “I want to help create a solution.” 

Despite the challenges, Tressena is optimistic about the future. Her son Avery, now 16, has dreams of becoming an engineer, and homeschooling allows him the flexibility to pursue his goals. “He constantly asks, ‘Mom, are you sure I can get into college being homeschooled?’ And I reassure him that he’s on the right path. His education is rigorous, and he’s already thinking about his future.” 

“Education changed my life—it helped me break the cycle for my family. I want that same opportunity for my children and others in my community.”