In most areas of life, when something isn’t working, we look for a better option. In K–12 education, though, children are assigned to public schools based on where they live—and if that school isn’t a good fit, the child is generally seen as the problem. School choice is changing that by expanding access to alternative learning environments. But educational freedom changes lives only if parents and teachers know what options exist, which is why Cato’s Friday Feature highlights the schools, policies, and organizations bringing those choices within reach.
Emily Harber Williams began her career in education in 2001, serving as a coach and teacher at a small private school before becoming a special education teacher in the public school system. Working with students with special needs became incredibly important to her. “All my life, I’ve been one of those social justice kind of people,” she explains. “So working with a special population became dear to my heart.”
While she loved her work, it was very time-consuming. One weekend, Emily and her husband, a teacher and coach, were working at home when their fourth-grade son said something that was like a knife to her heart. “I get that y’all gotta do work,” he said. “But I mean, when are y’all gonna spend a little time with us? It’s the weekend.”
