Day by Day Waiting for Jerrad
Written by Joanna Holbert Broken is a series that highlights broken pieces of our criminal justice system, how they impact people, and how we can fix it. Ava and Noel Ellsberry of Perkinston are anxiously awaiting the homecoming of their son Jerrad. But that day is still years away. Jerrad is serving an eight-year sentence for…
The Hopkinses: In Limbo After Receiving an ESA
Written by Joanna Holbert Missy and Will Hopkins knew from the moment they met their son Alan that they would do everything in their power to give him a better life. “Alan came home to us on October 29, 2014, after a life in foster care,” said Missy. “He was a first grader at Houston Elementary…
The Gaddises: We Know What’s Best for Our Son
Written by Joanna Holbert “Relief.” That’s how Shannon and Desmond Gaddis of Jackson describe the feeling they would have if their son Arthur were to receive an Education Scholarship Account (ESA). The Gaddis’ son, 14, was diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 11 following struggles he experienced early on in childhood. “Arthur didn’t start talking until he…
The Stricklins: We Should Be Able to Use Our Tax Dollars
Written by Joanna Holbert A parent seeking the best educational choice for their child will go to great lengths. That was the case for JoAnna Stricklin when it came to her son Jackson. In fact, those lengths were demonstrated when JoAnna and her husband Charles moved across several states to ensure that their autistic son received…
The Smiths: ‘Trapped’ on the Wait List
Written by Joanna Holbert (Note: This story is about a public school teacher who wants an ESA, so she and her family asked to remain anonymous.) “They are trapped.” That’s how one Meridian mother describes children like her 12-year-old son who have special needs and find themselves waiting on the Special Needs Education Scholarship Account (ESA).…
The McCools: ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’
Written by Joanna Holbert “Where do we go from here?” That’s the question Donna McCool of Flowood finds herself asking when it comes to the cost associated with educating her daughter Kensley. Entering school, a time when most children are excited and eager to learn, Kensley was struggling. By the time she reached the first grade…
The Joneses: “Hoping We Will Be Next”
Written by Joanna Holbert Yes, it’s really heartbreaking when you get that letter for a second time saying you did not get an ESA. (Note: This story is about a public school teacher who wants an ESA, so she and her family asked to remain anonymous.) For parents of children with special needs, sifting through loads…
The Dillons: ‘Out Here Walking Alone’
Written by Joanna Holbert Note: The Dillon family received an ESA last year (2019) for Demyrion after legislators voted to increase funding for the program. Under the current bill that will be considered by the House to renew the program Demyrion will lose his ESA because he is enrolled in an online school due to his…
The Ware Family: Choosing Faith Over Fear
Written by Joanna Holbert “We’ve been through three rounds of the lottery and have not received an ESA. Mississippi really needs a complete overhaul when it comes to special education and assistance for special needs families.” September 18, 2018 by Joanna Holbert A polite, soft-spoken lady enters a coffee shop. Wearing a t-shirt which reads “Faith Over Fear,”…
Delta Choices: Parents Ask, A School Answers
Written by Brett Kittredge Yashica Davenport knew her son needed more attention at school. So as he entered 5th grade, she made the decision to enroll him at Tender Ages Christian Academy in Greenville. It’s a private school that operates a little differently than the schooling model most of us are used to. Tender Ages began…
Offering school choice to military families will help Mississippi families
Written by Brett Kittredge New legislation has been introduced in Congress to expand school choice options to military families. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) has introduced the Education Savings Account for Military Families Act of 2018, a bill to allow children of military families to be eligible for an education savings account. This would be similar to the…
Delta Streets Academy: Changing lives. Shaping lives.
Written by Brett Kittredge Six years ago this fall, Delta Streets Academy opened its doors for the first time to 14 young men in the 7th and 8th grades. The school is housed at First Baptist Church in Greenwood. Its mission? To provide a well-rounded, high quality education to families in and around the city. A…
A homeschooler’s perspective on school choice
Written by Empower Mississippi Is it weird for a homeschooler to be working on education policy? I can’t tell you how many times I asked myself that question. It’s one that took me a while to answer, but I would like to share why a little girl who was homeschooled her entire life is now working…