The education system in America, and indeed worldwide, is under increasing scrutiny. Its rigid structure teaches compliance and measures success with standardized tests and grades that do not take into account the diverse needs and social backgrounds of students. This raises the question as to whether it is no longer appropriate in the melting pot of a complex modern society. Dr. Annise Mabry has two children who did not fit into the mold but had widely different needs and learning patterns. She was forced to reconsider their education, choosing homeschooling after looking at various options. The journey did not end there. In Educational Disobedience: A Mom Who Became A Movement the author explains that she had to dig deeper to understand the prevailing legal framework, and available study material, plus evaluate the individual needs, abilities, and emotional makeup of her children. The result was a challenge to conformity that brought her into conflict with the system. In the process, she developed an officially sanctioned means of assisting homeschooled children to achieve a high school diploma, as well as establishing the Tiers Free Academy, a trauma-informed homeschool cooperative. This brought hope to many struggling children and high school dropouts from rural, impoverished communities with low literacy rates.

Dr. Annise Mabry is highly qualified academically and by experience gained through the ups and downs of parenting two special-needs children. She achieved this while being established in a demanding work environment. Her perseverance and resilience shine throughout her account of the early difficulties that she and her children faced in life, which included gender and race discrimination, residential bias, divorce, bullying, and related social ills. She reflects on the impact of trauma on learning, and the relationship between grief and trauma. The role of the family in providing encouragement and a support system is emphasized, as well as choosing the appropriate curriculum. Educational Disobedience is a stark reminder that the schooling system is failing the children of America. The author advocates a more holistic approach that encourages individuality and builds self-confidence. The book is rounded off with appendices that include glowing testimonials from successful graduates, advice for those affected, and an extensive checklist. This triumphant memoir demonstrates that success can be achieved despite the odds. The benefits extend beyond schooling, even to reducing the crime rate in marginalized areas. It is a strident plea for transformation and a call to action. It makes compelling reading and is highly recommended.

Dr. Annise Mabry’s book Educational Disobedience is subtitled A Mom Who Became a Movement. With two children to support, working full time, and suffering from cancer not once but twice, Mabry was aware that both her children were failing at school. Her eldest daughter was gifted but unstimulated and her younger son had learning difficulties. Was the answer to homeschool them? One by one, Mabry tried the many programs that were on offer, but none were a good fit. The answer was to design individual courses that would not only educate but inspire her children. Attending courses herself and interacting with other professionals and homeschool parents enabled her to adopt a flexible program that worked. Dr. Mabry then took this further when she learned that across the United States, 27 million adults over 25 years of age do not have a High School Diploma which bars them from 80% of all job opportunities. Georgia, where this all began, is one of the worst hit, especially in the rural areas. If the individualized educational online packages worked for her own children, why not open this to young people who had dropped out of school? This book tells of her success, and in 2023 the first graduation ceremony of the Tiers Free Academy was held, followed by 8 further ceremonies in 7 different counties.

The second part of Educational Disobedience by Dr. Annise Mabry is composed of short essays by many of her graduating students. They describe the many reasons why they dropped out of school before they took the courses and obtained their High School Diplomas. Early unplanned pregnancies, moving schools, dysfunctional family life, death and illness of parents, and so on. Each story is heart-warming and gives the reader a real understanding of the difficulties they face. The book is both a description of how the Tiers Free Academy was founded and grew and also an instruction as to what to expect with homeschooling an underachieving child. It may open the door and empower parents to explore this option and what it entails. The checklist of requirements at the end of the book is particularly helpful. Dr. Mabry’s story will encourage other cooperatives to be set up and enable maybe thousands of young people to complete their education and enter the workplace or further education with pride and confidence.

Educational Disobedience by Dr. Annise Mabry is a powerful and passionate manifesto challenging traditional educational paradigms, offering a transformative vision for reimagining learning through innovative, community-driven approaches. Drawing from deeply personal experiences and professional expertise, Mabry critically examines the systemic failures of conventional educational models, particularly their impact on marginalized students, while presenting a compelling and practical roadmap for empowering parents and communities to create individualized, meaningful learning. A remarkable balance of personal narrative and professional advice creates a compelling call to action, inviting readers to reimagine education not as a standardized system, but as a dynamic, personalized journey of growth and discovery.

Author Dr. Annise Mabry crafts a narrative that is intimate, intellectual, and profound, offering readers personal insight coupled with expert knowledge. She delivers her content in a way that makes complex educational challenges approachable and inspiring, and I found the work to be beautifully clear and accessible in every way, no matter what educational knowledge you have to begin with. I was deeply moved by Mabry's commitment to educational equity and her practical strategies for creating meaningful learning pathways, and the heartfelt approach of the book really transforms what could be a dry academic text into a vibrant, hope-filled exploration of educational transformation. I also loved how it emphasizes the power of grassroots solutions. Mabry's emphasis on practical solutions also empowers readers to take meaningful steps toward creating more inclusive, responsive educational environments, with advice that you can act on as soon as you've read it. Overall, I would enthusiastically recommend Educational Disobedience as a groundbreaking text for educators, parents, and anyone passionate about reimagining learning.

Dr. Annise Mabry’s children faced academic challenges due to the constant bullying of her daughter and the incompetence of her son’s teachers. Annise knew she had to step in and take charge of her children’s future. So, even amid a divorce proceeding, she took the bold step of homeschooling her kids. This decision came with fear, uncertainty, and unpreparedness on her part, but she would not let this deter her as she vowed her children would never be part of the demographic of school dropouts. This decision did not come without its challenges. In Educational Disobedience, Dr. Annise Mabry tells her story of defiance, resilience, and how she single-handedly changed her children’s lives and subsequently impacted her community. This impact is seen in the testimonies of her students who all had one message, which is that of a transformed life courtesy of this author.

Educational Disobedience shows the themes of boldness, courage, and confidence in non-conformity, acceptance, and the pure love of a mother. I love the fact that Dr. Annise Mabry takes readers through every emotion she felt at every stage of her decision. Annise's story teaches that, most times, taking a bold step is all that is required to effect a change. I also love how the author makes reference to her past and relates it to the present and sometimes the future. Above all, Annise's ability to help her children overcome their academic challenges through homeschooling and extending it to others who are less privileged is so inspiring and worthy of emulation. It shows that in trying to help others find their paths, we discover our purpose. Educational Disobedience is a book I recommend to all readers.

Educational Disobedience: A Mom Who Became A Movement is a memoir by Dr. Annise Mabry, chronicling her journey to educational advocacy. Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy of empowering Black sharecroppers through education, Dr. Mabry’s path led her to higher education, where she faced systemic challenges as a Black woman. Later, negative experiences with public education as a mom, driven by her daughter’s bullying and her son’s learning disabilities, pushed her to take matters into her own hands. After an extreme lack of support for her children, she chose to homeschool them, eventually founding Tiers Free Academy. The academy, born out of her advocacy, helps students, including those who have dropped out, earn high school diplomas. Dr. Mabry’s book spotlights the flaws in traditional education and her dedication to providing alternative solutions for students facing systemic barriers.

Educational Disobedience by Dr. Annise Mabry is a powerful and inspiring memoir and a tool kit for caregivers looking beyond the status quo. Dr. Mabry's writing is wonderfully approachable and deeply empathetic, employing a conversational tone that simplifies homeschooling and educational reform. I appreciate that she uses the story of her family to outline the resistance she faced and what was required to push past it. Dr. Mabry did a lot of the heavy lifting so that the load might be a little lighter for the rest of us. The most persuasive aspect of the book is the huge number of personal success stories written by those whose lives she has touched and which is a testament to the breadth of what she has achieved. Her thorough research, advice, and knowledge of laws are valuable resources for non-traditional educational paths. Dr. Mabry's voice is a welcome addition to the conversation about educational reform, and we are all the better for it. Very highly recommended.