Empowering Parents: Jonnette Fair’s Mission to Help Atlanta Families Navigate School Choice  

Jonnette Fair has always been surrounded by education. Growing up in a family where higher education was an expectation, not an option, she was inspired by her mother, a former principal, who instilled in her the belief that knowledge is the foundation for opportunity. That belief turned into a career rooted in education at multiple levels.

Jonnette began her professional journey as a high school teacher, where she spent five years shaping young minds. She then transitioned into early childhood education, running a preschool for eight years. Eventually, she moved into higher education, working as a data analyst and managing institutional research focused on student outcomes and education policy. Through each phase of her career, she remained committed to ensuring students had access to quality learning environments.

Though she initially pursued data analysis, her work was never far from education. She spent years working with facts and figures in higher education, analyzing policies and student outcomes. But it was her experience as a mother that changed the trajectory of her work.

Jonnette Fair

“When we moved to Clayton County, I needed to know everything—what schools we were zoned for, what other options existed, and how to make sure my kids had access to the best education possible,” she said.

That deep dive into local education data led her to an unexpected discovery: school choice. In her county, families could apply to attend schools outside of their assigned zones, particularly if they specialized in programs like dual-language learning, STEM, or performing arts.

Her research led to a life-changing decision—enrolling her children in a dual-language program that would shape their academic journey. But what started as a personal decision soon turned into a passion for advocacy.

Building a Community of Engaged Parents

Jonnette quickly became a voice for parents in her district. When administrative changes threatened the quality of her children’s dual-language program, she and other parents came together to fight for their school community.

“Over the course of two months and about 10 meetings, we fought to keep the community we had built,” she said. “We had to let the administration know that we weren’t going to let them dismantle something that worked for our kids.”

That advocacy experience gave her a new purpose—helping other parents navigate the complexities of school choice. Through her work with education-based nonprofits, literacy organizations, and parent teacher organizations, Jonnette ensures parents know their options and feel empowered to advocate for their children’s needs.

Educating Parents on Georgia’s School Choice Landscape

As a parent ambassador with EdChoice’s Parent Corps, Jonnette works to make information about school choice more accessible. With Georgia’s Promise Scholarship Act, families now have access to $6,500 per year via education savings accounts to cover educational expenses if they meet specific eligibility criteria. However, many parents remain unaware of these opportunities.

“There’s a lot of misinformation about school choice,” she explained. “Some families think they don’t qualify, others think it’s too complicated to apply. My job is to break it down and show them what’s possible.”

Jonnette also educates parents about alternative learning models, including micro-schools, homeschool cooperatives, and specialized magnet programs. In Atlanta, where Black and Hispanic families make up a significant portion of the public school population, these options provide opportunities for students to learn in environments that better suit their needs.

Despite its benefits, school choice remains a politically charged issue. Some critics argue that funding programs like ESAs and scholarships take money away from public schools. Jonnette pushes back against that argument by focusing on what’s best for individual children.

“At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics—it’s about making sure every child gets the education they deserve,” she said. “If a school isn’t working for a student, why should that family be forced to stay?”

She also challenges the idea that school choice only benefits the wealthy. “There’s a misconception that private school is out of reach for working families,” she said. “But between scholarships, ESAs, and micro-schools, there are more affordable paths than people realize.”

Whether she’s speaking at PTA meetings, leading literacy workshops, or helping parents apply for scholarships, Jonnette’s mission is clear: to make school choice a reality for as many families as possible.

“We all want what’s best for our kids,” she said. “My job is to make sure parents know they have options—and that they have the power to choose what’s right for their families.”