From testifying in front of lawmakers to educating their children, these are some of the best advocates on the frontline of the #schoolchoice movement and we are honored to have them on our National Task Force!

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Amy Dunlap

Michigan

My child attends his local zoned traditional public school that works for him. As an educator though the traditional public setting didn't fit for me and so I chose a different path in education and have been in the virtual setting for 10 years now. 9 of those were spent as an educator and now I am on the leadership team at Michigan International Prep School.

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How long have you been advocating and what inspired you to get involved in the school choice movement? ‍

I have been involved in advocacy for 10 years now. I learned quickly when I left the traditional setting that school choice options weren't given freely and that if I wanted them to continue to exist not only for myself as an educator but for my students who desperately needed a choice that I had to get involved.

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What is your most memorable moment in advocacy?

This is a tough one. I think anytime I can hear a student tell their story of how the school that is a perfect fit for them has allowed them to be successful. It is a memorable moment. Hearing students advocate for themselves allows me to continue on this hard fought battle of ensuring school choice is available. Their voices are powerful and the raw emotion gets me everytime. The first time this happened for me, I had a student speaking at National School Choice Week virtually. It wasn't safe for his health to be there in-person and so he was on the ipad with me speaking to legislators and then during our program at our Capitol. It was a truly proud educator moment that truly showed me the importance of bringing student voices with me no matter how it had to be done.

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What advice would you give to other parents who may be frustrated with their child’s current educational options?

You are not alone! There are choices out there and there truly is a perfect fit for every child. Take the time to do your homework and see what is out there and go and ask questions and visit. Don't be afraid of the change. While it can be scary, it is scarier to not do anything than to have to learn something new that might truly impact your or your child's trajectory.

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What has your involvement in the school choice movement taught you?

‍My involvement in the school choice movement has truly taught me the value that one voice can have. It has taught me that many of us have the same concerns about our education system and what we can do better to ensure all students have access to a quality education that meets their needs. It has taught me that when a student and an educator find their perfect fit in education that great things happen. It has taught me that all the hard work and exhaustion is worth it because our kids are worth it and deserve it.

Lightning round:

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Favorite book: When it comes to school choice it is none other than Andrew Campanella's School Choice Road Map
Favorite quote: Stand up for what you believe in, even if you are standing alone.
Favorite movie: When it comes to school choice I would have to say Miss Virginia
Favorite podcast: People have time for a podcast?
Favorite hobby: Being on our family farm, photography, crafting, and watching my son in the plethora of activities he is involved in.
Coffee or tea? Tea but only my mother's southern sweet tea

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Samoy Mainda

Missouri

School Freedom to me means, no one can ever tell me or my family that we do not have a choice about what type of school we do. There are many options... so having the freedom to choose which school is right for my children is the best feeling in the world.

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How long have you been advocating and what inspired you to get involved in education equity?

I have been advocating for almost six years. I remember the first time going to our capital in Jefferson City, MO. I was five months pregnant with our son determined to fight for all children in the state of Missouri including my daughter Hannah, who was unable to access virtual school back in 2017 because it was not an option in Missouri at that time.

What is your most memorable moment in advocacy?

The most memorable moment so far on our advocacy journey, was June 29, 2022, when my family and I were able to attend and witness our governor Mike Parson signing House Bill 1552 into law. HB 1552 allows every single child the option to access virtual school [in Missouri]. That moment still brings tears of joy. After years of advocating, HB 1552 was worth it all.

What advice would you give to other parents who may be frustrated with their child’s current educational options?

The advice I would give parents is keep fighting for your children. Your children are clinging to your guidance on what to do about their education. I remember when my daughter was five years old and told me, “Mommy I am a dummy." That moment put into perspective that my husband and I would not accept the options our district wanted to give us. That being said, parents keep fighting and allow your children to advocate with you. They will have the opportunity to see firsthand how they can make a difference in their education.  

What has your involvement in the school choice movement taught you?

Being involved in the school choice movement has allowed me to meet some amazing individuals throughout the years and to hear their stories about educational options. It has also taught me to have a strong sense of self, and allow my thoughts to be respectfully heard. Furthermore, the school choice movement has taught me to protect and encourage all individuals to continue on this journey for all children. Impeding their educational options is detrimental to them if they are not receiving an education that fits their needs.

Lightning round:

Favorite book: Education, by Ellen G.White
Favorite quote: “The days are long, but the years are short." - Gretchen Rubin
Favorite movie: The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
Favorite podcast: Amazing Facts
Favorite hobby: Crafts, Baking, and Thrifting
Coffee or tea? Coffee!!!

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Melissa Ley

Florida

I taught in a Title I school before educating my kids at home. We started our journey in a magnet brick-and-mortar school and when that wasn't meeting the needs of our children, we moved to a district run virtual school that was using K12 curriculum, a year after being there they wanted to remove the K12 teachers and go to a district curriculum with no live classes, so we transferred to a virtual charter school that offered the curriculum we wanted with live classes. My oldest daughter did virtual school until her sophomore year where she transferred to a local charter brick-and-mortar school that allowed her to earn her AA degree and her high school diploma simultaneously. She graduated from there with her diploma and AA degree in May of 2022. She is now in her 3rd year of college

My youngest attended virtual charter school through the end of 8th grade and is now enrolled as a sophomore in a local charter brick-and-mortar STEM school that will allow her to graduate with her AS degree, her AA degree, two industry certificates in information sciences and her high school diploma.  

How long have you been advocating and what inspired you to get involved in the school choice movement?

I have been advocating since 2014, when the district wanted to shut down our charter for the virtual charter school my kids were attending. I got involved with PSO the summer of 2015.

What is your most memorable moment in advocacy?

The first time my children testified in front of the House about how important their option was for them.  

What advice would you give to other parents who may be frustrated with their child’s current educational options?

No parent or child should have to settle for something that isn't serving their needs. Share your story with everyone, find like-minded friends and organizations to help you advocate for the options you need.

‍What has your involvement in the school choice movement taught you?

Every option is important, it is just about what works for one family, but about each family having choices. It isn't a one-time fight. You must be in it for the long haul. Every story matters, and all options are important.      

Lightning round:

Favorite book: How Full is Your Bucket for Kids
Favorite quote: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" Martin Luther King. Jr.
Favorite movie: Hidden Figures
Favorite podcast: The Squeeze
Favorite hobby: Reading, traveling
Coffee or tea? COFFEE ☕️ ❤️

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Donishia Arso-Frison

Louisiana

Donishia Arso-Frison has been advocating with PSO for three years, but her advocacy story really began when her son started kindergarten.

“He had to defend himself at such a young age,” says the mother of three virtual school students, who discovered her son was being bullied at his brick-and-mortar public school.  

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The family switched him to Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA) and he has thrived in that learning environment ever since.

Donishia is grateful for the opportunities parent choice has brought to her and her family, including the ability to “bring textbooks to life” and take the children on field trips both near and far. For them, school is about “hands-on experience” and “meeting new people, traveling to different states and actually getting up close and personal with a lesson.”

‍What is your most memorable moment in advocacy?

There are so many amazing memorable moments such as meeting [school choice champion] Virginia Walden-Ford, attending DC for the first time, and speaking at the hearing to have our school charter renewed. And also being led by so many amazing people who encouraged, educated, and motivated me to fight for a place where our kids thrive and feel safe as they learn.

What advice would you give to other parents who may be frustrated with their child’s current educational options?

Not all children learn the same… work with your child to find out what setting he or she thrives in and then go all in.

What has your involvement in the school choice movement taught you?

It has opened my eyes to the fact that most parents don’t know they actually have a voice or options. 

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Lightning round:

Favorite book: Crazy Faith by Pastor Micheal Todd
Favorite quote: Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
Favorite movie: Safety (Disney)
Favorite hobby: Crafting
Coffee or tea? Tea

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Mark Martinez

Washington

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How long have you been advocating and what inspired you to get involved in the school choice movement?  

I got involved with Digital Public Schools Alliance (DPSA) after attending a Digital Day at the state capital. Our son was getting bored in school which caused him to get into trouble.  Getting him to school became a battle and we needed an alternative. My wife learned about digital schools, and we enrolled one of our boys at the start of fourth grade, then the other the following year. Having this option for our kids has been a life changer. They went from being bored and getting into trouble to being engaged and having fun.

What is your most memorable moment in advocacy?

One year at Digital Day at the Capital we gave a lesson demonstration to an elected official. I talked for a bit then my son jumped in and started showing her how the software worked - his schedule, how he interacts with his teacher, and how he gets his homework done.  He just jumped in and started talking to this adult, an elected official at that, with such poise and confidence. It was just awesome to see my kid like that.

What advice would you give to other parents who may be frustrated with their child’s current educational options?

Parents need to know there are far more public school options than they know about in Washington State. And it is THEIR CHOICE where they send their children to school.

What has your involvement in the school choice movement taught you?

First, was that the experience my child was facing was not unique. Second, was that the reasons families have chosen a digital public school vary drastically from medical issues, acting/sports, to academic flexibility and personal preference.  Lastly, the quality of the curriculum and the teachers is above what I was expecting. The teachers and staff love teaching and are dedicated to the student success.

Lightning round:

Favorite book: Something with Star Wars or Astrophysics in the title or a book by R A Salvatore
Favorite quote: “Read hundreds of books... because your personal experiences alone aren’t broad enough to sustain you.” Jim Mattis
Favorite hobby: Hand tool woodworking and backpacking
Coffee or tea? I like French Vanilla creamer but it’sstrange to just drink that, so I put it in coffee.