As families head back to school this month, this episode centers on how school choice can change daily life for children who need the right fit, especially kids with unique abilities and adoption-related trauma. A teacher and “multiple choice” mom, Aaliyah Gonzalez shares how scholarships helped her move each child into environments where they felt safe, supported, and understood. Aaliyah also shares her perspective as both a teacher and a parent, explaining why smaller settings, family-style school culture, and responsive staff can matter more than curriculum alone.
Episode details:
- Why school choice mattered to Aaliyah growing up in New York, where neighborhood assignments made school options feel limited
- How the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship opened doors for her own children, especially when neighborhood schools were not a good fit
- How Aaliyah used scholarship support to place Xander in a private school that could better meet his needs when moving across Jacksonville
- How the Gardiner Scholarship, now called FESUA, helped her find schools with trained staff and the right support for her son, Chance
- How the scholarship allowed Aaliyah to keep Micah, who has autism, in a familiar Christian school setting because consistency and belonging mattered
- What support looks like: asking about triggers, safe foods, and what helps a child feel at home.
- Describes Living Way Christian Academy as a true community, where staff act like extended family and stay connected with families beyond school hours
- How the school supported her family after the death of her mother.
- Why Aaliyah advocates for scholarship programs as a teacher, especially for families who assume private schools are financially out of reach
- How the new Education Freedom Tax Credit will open new doors for her family and others
To learn more about the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, visit Step Up Step Further Scholarship Fund.
