School choice is personal for me because I see its impact every day in the lives of the children and families we serve.
As the Founder and CEO of Step N’ Stones Academy for Autism in Thomasville, Georgia, I have the privilege of working with students who learn differently and deserve an educational environment designed around their unique needs. We serve children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and other developmental challenges through a whole-child, therapeutic approach to education.
Many of the families who come to us have spent years searching for the right fit for their child. They have tried traditional settings, navigated countless meetings, and often felt as though their child’s needs were not fully understood. What they are looking for is not simply a school—they are looking for hope.
At Step N’ Stones, our motto is “Regulation Before Expectation.” We believe students must first feel safe, connected, and supported before meaningful learning can occur. Through small class sizes and integrated speech, occupational, and social-emotional support, we create an environment where students can thrive academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.
For many families, school choice makes that opportunity possible.
The majority of our students receive scholarship support through programs such as the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program, the Georgia GOAL Tax Credit Scholarship Program, and the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program. Without these options, many families would not be able to access the individualized education and therapies their children need.
I’ve also seen firsthand how important advocacy is to preserving and expanding those opportunities.
Prior to the vote on the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program, my team and I met with our local state representative to share the stories of our students and families. We talked about the life-changing impact school choice has on children with special needs and the barriers families face when they do not have access to the right educational setting.
That conversation mattered.
After hearing directly from the families and students affected, our representative changed her vote from a “no” to a “yes,” helping secure support for the legislation. It was a powerful reminder that advocacy works, voices matter, and personal stories can create meaningful change.
Today, our school has a waitlist of nearly 50 students. Each name on that list represents a family searching for the same opportunity—a place where their child can be understood, supported, and given every chance to succeed.
That is why this work matters.
School choice is not simply about educational policy. It is about families finding hope, students discovering their potential, and parents gaining the freedom to choose an environment where their children can thrive.
Every child deserves access to an education that meets their unique needs. Through continued advocacy, partnership, and support for educational choice, we can help ensure that opportunity is available to more families, regardless of their circumstances.
That is the future we are working toward at Step N’ Stones Academy for Autism.
