From Fear to Freedom: How School Choice Gave My Children a Safe Learning Environment 

Ann Marie Miller

November 21, 2024
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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.” 

Ann Marie Miller

Communications and Content Associate

As EdChoice’s Communications and Content Associate, Ann Marie leads project management, content creation and supports all Communications projects. She comes to EdChoice with a background in storytelling, writing and social media marketing.

Prior to this role, Ann Marie served as a storyteller for the Illinois Policy Institute illustrating the intersection of public policy and people’s lives, business and choices. She graduated from George Mason University with a master’s degree in economics and earned a interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in Economics, Spanish and Japanese from Western Carolina University.

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