Larry O’Connor, Winsome Earle-Sears Champion Educational Freedom
(EdNews Virginia) — Energy and optimism filled the room Saturday as EdReform Virginia hosted its 4th Annual School Choice Celebration at the Leadership Institute. With more than 100 attendees, the event served as a vibrant hub for Northern Virginia families, educators and thought leaders to discuss the growing “Parent Revolution” in education.
A Community Rooted in Faith and Patriotism
The program opened with a strong sense of community and shared values. Steven Mosley, chairman of the EdReform Virginia Board of Trustees, led the group in a heartfelt prayer, specifically lifting up WMAL’s Julie Gunlock, who is currently recovering from a medical incident. The room then stood as American Heritage Girls Troop 0681 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Mission: School Choice for All
Nathan Brinkman, executive director of EdReform Virginia, shared his personal journey as a parent navigating the Arlington school system. Reflecting on the “pain and frustration” of having a child in a school that wasn’t a good fit, Brinkman highlighted the joy of finally finding the right environment at Bishop O’Connell High School.
“That is our vision here at EdReform Virginia: that every Virginian kid — from Arlington to Virginia Beach and everywhere in between — can get the education they deserve in a safe environment that does not fundamentally conflict with the values parents are trying to instill at home,” Brinkman told the crowd.
Expert Panel: Local Educational Options
A panel discussion with local educators offered a deep dive into the practical alternatives available to families:
- Maria Keffler, MSEd (Licensed Virginia Teacher): Stressed the need for parents to protect their kids from harmful indoctrination, noting that without “an agreed-upon moral foundation,” everybody becomes “the high priest of their own religion.”
- Jaime Osborne, PhD (NoVa Classical Academy): Shared her decision to start a classical microschool in Fairfax City after seeing a decline in “content-rich instruction” and a “growing reliance on screens in the classroom.”
- Andrew Shivone, PhD (St. Jerome Institute): Discussed the “Socratic method” used at St. Jerome, which forces students to read, evaluate and discuss primary source documents, rather than just memorizing slides from a lecture.
A Marketplace of Options
Between sessions, attendees enjoyed a buffet lunch from Rocklands BBQ, which offered a relaxed, casual backdrop for parents to network and engage with the various exhibitor tables. A diverse array of organizations shared information and resources with attendees:
- Advocates Protecting Children
- American Heritage Girls
- Bishop O’Connell High School
- EdReform Virginia
- Gan Jing World
- Independent Women’s Network
- NoVa Classical Academy
- St. Jerome Institute
- Winsome Earle-Sears
Larry O’Connor: Every Child Is Unique
WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor discussed his personal perspective on school choice, sharing how his own children traversed through various learning environments over the years: traditional public schools, charter schools, Catholic schools and homeschooling.
“Every child is different,” O’Connor remarked. “The people in charge of education use a cookie-cutter approach for all of our children, and that cookie doesn’t taste very good.” He urged families to remain active locally, reminding the audience that “what happens in your house is more important than what happens in the White House.”
Winsome Earle-Sears: ‘We Can’t Leave the Battlefield’
The event’s headliner, Virginia’s 42nd lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, offered a robust defense of educational freedom, dismantling the argument that public funds shouldn’t follow students to private institutions.
“When you talk about SNAP benefits — food benefits — isn’t that public money that goes to private grocery stores?” Earle-Sears asked. “When it comes to the foundational aspect of our children’s lives — K through 12 — we say no. Your only option is the public school option… Why is that? Why indeed is that?”
Earle-Sears concluded with a call to action, citing America’s dismal educational rankings and the need for an “all of the above” solution that includes universal school choice. “We can’t leave the battlefield,” the lieutenant governor said. “We must never, ever give up fighting. We do it because it’s the right thing, because it’s for our posterity and for their posterity.”
A Shared Journey
Earlier in the program, while introducing the lieutenant governor, Mosley reminded the audience of EdReform Virginia’s broader mission: “Bottom line is this, folks: we’re all in this together, this school choice journey. It’s not just about one child or another child; it’s about the community and what we can do together.”
Looking Ahead, With Gratitude
As the formal program drew to a close, Mosley thanked the speakers and attendees for their energy and commitment. He encouraged everyone to stay connected with EdReform Virginia and with each other, to ensure the day’s momentum wouldn’t fade.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears. We’ve had a great afternoon,” Mosley said. “On behalf of myself and Nathan Brinkman, our executive director, thank you so much for coming today.”
VIDEO: FULL REMARKS FROM WINSOME EARLE-SEARS
This content was made available to WMAL by EdNews Virginia, where it was first published on March 9, 2026.
