Megan and her husband Pete, lifelong Tennesseans, faced a tough decision when it came time to enroll their oldest child in school: stick with their zoned public school or find a better fit. Both products of Tennessee’s public education system, they brought different experiences to the table but shared the same goal: a quality education rooted in values they believed in. Homeschooling wasn’t an option with full-time jobs, and the private school landscape near them was financially out of reach.
Then they discovered River’s Edge Christian Academy—a hybrid model that combined academic excellence, faith-based learning, and strong parent involvement. It was everything they wanted for their children. But it came with a cost. Determined to make it work, Megan took on extra nursing shifts to help cover tuition, knowing that no sacrifice was too great for her children’s future.
When Pete first learned about the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program—well before it became law—he saw it as a lifeline. He began spreading the word to other families, hopeful that one day it could ease the burden. Fittingly, the day the EFS program passed the legislature, their daughter was on a school field trip at the Capitol, watching history unfold—history that would directly impact her family.
The day they were approved for the scholarship, their daughter looked at Megan and said, “Mom, now you don’t have to work so much!” That simple sentence says it all. For families like Megan and Pete’s, education freedom isn’t just about school choice—it’s about life choice. It’s about time and empowerment. EFS gives parents the ability to prioritize their children’s education without sacrificing their family’s well-being. Megan and Pete know that better than anyone, and their hope is that all families in Tennessee will one day know it, too.
