My Why: Tonya's School Choice Story

January 30, 2026

Tonya Jones, Director of Implementation and Operations, shares why she supports school choice for all Alabama families.


Knowledge is power. “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” - Frederick Douglass.  


I grew up in rural Alabama (Escambia County). My mother and father did the best they could to offer us the best opportunities growing up. My mother was an avid reader. She was forever attached to a book. I always wondered how she could read so many books and so quickly. Soon after, I was enjoying the transformation into new experiences, times and places through reading. 


But not all in the family were reading or even attempting to read. I soon noticed there was a difference in how my parents managed our schoolwork. My dad was never present to read or sign report cards, read incoming mail or anything at all. My mother confirmed that he never learned to read. My reality was that my father, one of the smartest humans that I know, could not read. He was a resource of car knowledge for the community and was doing it without ever reading.


My heart felt for him and the isolation he must have felt as part of an ever-changing technological society and not being able to keep up. Though he was not an educated man, that did not stop him from wanting more for his children.


My sister and I attended the local public school, and my brother attended the private school in the area. Though different, each gave us what we needed to be successful.


My choice adventure began with my own children moving them from private to public after settling in a better school district. It has continued over the last 25 years as I assisted students and parents through administering private school vouchers, private and charter school staff support, and my roles within scholarship granting organizations starting in 2013. 


There are many options available for Alabama’s K-12 students. As a part of the AOSF staff, I encourage, inspire, and empower parents to make knowledgeable decisions about the educational future of their students.  Knowledge is power.  Everyone deserves it. That is why I do what I do. 

Investing in a Lifetime, Not Just an Education

March 31, 2026
A single mother shares how scholarships made 13 years of faith-based education possible for her daughters, and the lifelong impact of that support.

How Alabama Families Can Access Education Choice with Tonya Jones | The Advocate’s Chair

March 24, 2026
Tonya Jones shares school choice options for families across Alabama with Neonta Williams, Founder of Black Alabamians for Education.

School Spotlight: The Rock Academy

March 20, 2026
For families in the rural communities of Russell and Lee County, finding the right school fit hasn’t always been easy. That’s exactly the gap The Rock Academy set out to fill. As a newer K–12 Christian school with an inclusive preschool program, The Rock Academy is grounded in a clear mission: deliver a high-quality education while shaping students academically, spiritually, and personally. Or, as Founder and Principal Kristi puts it, “We strive to cultivate academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development in our students.” No fluff, just a straightforward commitment to doing school differently, and do it well.

New Polling Shows Parents Are Ready for the Education Freedom Tax Credit

March 16, 2026
New polling shows K-12 parents strongly support the Education Freedom Tax Credit and are likely to contribute to scholarship programs expanding opportunity for students.

How the Education Freedom Tax Credit Can Help Alabama Kids Thrive

March 2, 2026
For decades, AOSF has put parents — not systems — in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education. We know one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (a.k.a. federal scholarship tax credit) is a big deal: it lets everyday taxpayers redirect part of what they already owe in federal taxes to directly fund K-12 scholarships for Alabama students. Here’s the practical version of how it works, and why it matters.

Tax Deduction vs. Tax Credit — What Donors Really Need to Know

February 24, 2026
When you give to support K–12 scholarships, not all tax incentives are created equal — and knowing the difference can help make your gift go further.

Scholarships at Work: Faith Academy Spotlight

February 19, 2026
When donors give to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, they’re not just funding tuition. They’re opening doors to schools like Faith Academy in Mobile — places where students are known, supported, challenged, and grounded in faith. Faith Academy is a private Christian school committed to developing the whole child: academically, spiritually, and personally. Excellence isn’t just a tagline there. It’s woven into the classroom, the stage, the football field, and the daily rhythms of school life. And for many families, access to that kind of education is only possible because of scholarship support.

Who Can Claim the Education Freedom Tax Credit?

February 16, 2026
What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit? The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a federal tax credit that lets Alabama taxpayers reduce their federal income tax liability by donating to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. When you give, you get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit, not just a deduction, for your contribution. Key benefit: Donate up to $1,700 per individual and cut your federal tax bill by the exact same amount. This makes the EFTC one of the most impactful tools for supporting school choice and education scholarships in Alabama.

What the Education Freedom Tax Credit Means for Alabama Families and Donors

February 11, 2026
Big changes are coming to school choice and Alabama families stand to benefit in a major way. The new Education Freedom Tax Credit , launching in 2027, creates a federal tax credit for people who donate to scholarship-granting organizations like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) . Translation: taxpayers can redirect part of their federal tax bill to fund K–12 scholarships for students right here in Alabama. This isn’t a policy talking point. It’s a real, practical opportunity to expand educational access for families who need options. Let’s break it down.

My Why: Sherri's School Choice Story

January 31, 2026
Sherri Rowton, Development Director, shares why she supports school choice for all Alabama families. I was fortunate to grow up in a family where education was always a top priority. My mother was a first-generation college graduate who spent her career as an elementary school teacher. My father overcame a difficult childhood by enlisting in the military, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and two graduate degrees. From an early age, I saw how education can open doors and change the trajectory of a life. I later spent two decades as a fundraiser for Auburn University, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Our generous donors gave so that others could earn an education—something no one could ever take away from them. But that foundation must begin well before college, equipping students for lives in which they, and their families, can truly flourish. That is why Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund is so invaluable. Through the generosity of our supporters, we empower parents to choose the school and learning environment that best fits the needs of their children—whether public, private, homeschool, or microschools. My own family experienced the difference the right school can have. Our local public school provided my older son with exactly what he needed to succeed; he is now a college graduate with a full-time career. My younger son, however, needed an environment with more structure than his school could provide. We were able to find a setting that better met his needs, and he is now a college senior—an outcome I sincerely doubt would have been possible without that change. It is my honor and privilege to work alongside such generous donors who make opportunities like these possible for families across Alabama. Education freedom is truly a win-win for families, for our donors, and for the future of our state.