Miami Courant

A Miami resident supports school choice, saying she likes that Catholic schools have a curriculum that values morals.

Belkis Gonzalez, an occupational therapist, has one child, who is now 30. Gonzalez said she thinks Catholic schools are a good choice and an alternative for parents who want their children to have a Catholic education.

"The fact that they include a curriculum that values morals and that teach children civics and respect is very important — which is missing in a lot of the public school systems right now," Gonzalez said in an interview with Miami Courant. "It's ... one of the alternatives out there which if it's something that is valued by the parents, it's a great choice."

Gonzalez said it can be aligned with family values and can even provide opportunities for other children who would otherwise not have those options. Gonzalez said the choice to have children attend Catholic schools is only available to those who can afford it, which she thinks that's a problem.

Gonzalez said she would not support a political candidate who did not back school choice.

"No, I would not support it because I think that that's part of interfering with our freedom of choosing," Gonzalez said, "this is one of the aspects of our freedoms."

Gonzalez said the public education system isn't meeting children's needs and diverts taxpayers' money away from the students. She said the money is going toward politicians and whoever they want to support, such as unions within the education system.

"I think that for a candidate not to recognize this ... it will be somebody that is not listening to the parents and the citizens out there, and, no, I will not support a candidate like that," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she does not support Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden because he's advocated for banning school choice.

"They — and he — have sent his children to private schools and to private universities; they have had that choice," Gonzalez said. "Children that come from a deprived environmental household or low-income family do not have that choice. I think Catholic education could be available to them if we make this a choice or by tax money could be used toward that kind of education."