Advice, Education, High School, teen moms |
High school is hard enough as a typical teenager, but when you add having a baby into the mix you’re looking at very hard times. Juggling taking care of an infant and going to school will be hard, but it is 100% doable. Whatever you do, don’t let your future slip through the cracks simply because you are a teen parent. The benefits of having a high school education are great for both you and your child.
My Virtual Academy helps students from a variety of harsh and/or challenging backgrounds achieve academic success and earn their high school diploma. Teen parents and pregnant teens come to us because they need another way of getting their education – one that will work with their current needs. The biggest of those needs is flexibility. When you are a student with My Virtual Academy, you do your schooling from the comfort of your own home, and since you have access 24/7 to the coursework, you can complete your lessons at times that are convenient for you. Being a virtual student has wonderful perks, especially for new moms who are running on little sleep and can’t leave the house easily to go to traditional school.
So now that you know you have other options out there, what do you do to stay on track and successfully work towards earning your high school diploma? For starters, get yourself a good day planner! Creating a good schedule and sticking to it will be key in making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Once your baby is a few months old, they will most likely be set on some type of routine. There will be estimated times that you know the baby will nap, eat, bathe. You can then plug your schooling in around those times. As long as you’re keeping up with your obligations, it doesn’t matter if you have to break up your studies into a bunch of 30-minute sessions in between naps and feedings. That’s what is so great about this program. You really can work it whenever your time allows each day.
Make a list of babysitters that you can rely on. You never know when the need will arise for a babysitter. You may have a test to study for that you want some consecutive time to study, not 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Having a few reliable babysitters to help watch the baby when you are in a bind can be really handy. Call on them to help you out when you need it so you can stay on top of your studies.
Rely on those around you for emotional support and for helping you care for the baby. A baby is a huge responsibility for anyone, especially a teenager. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child and they are certainly right! Even though you may need to lean on some people now, keep in mind that you are working to set up a stable future for you and your little one. They will thank you and be amazed at all you did for them one day.
If you are someone who is struggling to get their education in a traditional school setting, whether it be from teen pregnancy, bullying, illness, or any other reason, reach out to us and let’s discuss how we can help you reach your goal of earning your high school diploma. You can visit our website or give us a call at 800-297-2119 to discuss your options with an Enrollment Specialist. After giving them a call, check out our Facebook page and hear stories from others that have been in your shoes. We hope to hear from you!
My Virtual Success Stories |
When is the last time that you started something new or embarked on a new adventure? We all get those flutters in our stomach and wonder if we’re making the right decision when we give something new a shot. It’s perfectly normal and that’s exactly what happened to Branna W.
Before enrolling in My Virtual Academy, Branna was a teen in high school that was getting into trouble and kept getting suspended. She spent a lot of time fighting and trying to fit in with friends that she now realizes weren’t really her true friends at all.
Branna owes a lot of credit to her mother, Kimberly, who knew at the end of Branna’s 9th grade year that her current situation was bad news and she had to make a change. Kimberly thought back to an ad she saw on a bus for My Virtual Academy and decided to give us a call. We were so happy she did!
There are a lot of parents who find themselves in a situation very similar to the one we just mentioned. The important thing for parents to keep in mind is that there is hope! Just because their teen isn’t excelling in their current school doesn’t mean all hope is lost. At My Virtual Academy, your student’s success is our number one goal. After all, if they don’t succeed, we don’t succeed.
When Branna’s mom discussed switching to a virtual learning academy, Branna was resistant to start. She wasn’t interested in changing up her learning environment, which is understandable – change can be scary.
After a rough start with our program, Mrs. Karasienski encouraged her to get moving in the program. During the first meet-and-greet, Branna got to meet Mrs. Karasienski. Being able to put a face to the voice behind the phone was just what she needed to start plowing ahead. Hearing words of encouragement let her spread her wings and she started flying through her classes. Branna was so motivated that she worked hard and graduated a whole year ahead of schedule!
That’s the beauty of flexible, individually-paced learning. If you want to forge ahead and complete courses rapidly, you can. If you are a student who needs some additional time, you’ve got it! It’s really a win-win for every student enrolled.
Branna has her sights set on attending Oakland Community College and is in the process of determining which field of study she would like to pursue. Picture this, Branna was a student who didn’t see her future in a very bright light. She had no hope for success. Now she has graduated ahead of time and is planning on attending college.
Your future is bright, Branna. Let your light shine!
If you have a student in another school and they are facing difficulties for any reason, we encourage you to reach out. Our staff can walk you through how our academy works and discuss enrollment. You may call us at 800-297-2119 or visit us online at www.myvirtualacademy.com.
Advice, Education, High School, Teenagers, Virtual School |
Are you a parent who has heard year after year that your child is excelling in school? They may have even placed in your school’s academically talented and gifted program, if they have one in place. However, there are probably times that arise where you wonder, is my child being challenged enough? Your child may even tell you that they are bored with their schooling or that things are too easy for them.
While some might look at a situation like this and think they wish their child had those types of “problems,” it can be looked at much like the situation of a struggling child: they aren’t getting their individual learning needs met. Both students in that scenario aren’t able to excel to their full potential until the right program is put in place. That’s where we come in!
At My Virtual Academy, we help students on both ends of the spectrum, and everywhere in between. We are able to offer courses that are customized to fit your child’s needs. We realize that every student learns differently and at their own pace and our staff works diligently to make sure every student has what they need in place to excel!
As a parent contemplating schooling options for their gifted student, there are a lot of things to consider. Let’s take a closer look at things that might be on your mind to see if virtual learning is the right fit for your family.
Time Management
One of the benefits to virtual learning is the immense flexibility that comes along with it. Students can learn at their own pace, at their own time, and from anywhere that has an internet connection. They have due dates and things of that nature, but the daily schedule can look different for practically every student. Students often feel that this removes a lot of pressure and allows them to focus as much time as they need to master the lesson being taught. They aren’t rushed along, nor held back, to fit the needs of 25+ other students in their class, like in traditional schools. Some gifted students find a flexible schedule to be a huge plus because they can dig deeper into what they are studying (if they so choose) or can proceed to the next lesson.
As with all time management, there needs to be responsible use of time. You should feel confident that you and your student can properly commit to the time it takes to learn from home. Whether you work or learn from home, it’s very easy for someone to get sidetracked and before you know it, hours have passed and the work you set out to be done is still waiting there. It’s important that lessons get done and as a parent, it’s important that you have time to monitor your child’s activities. You don’t have to be over their shoulder at every turn, but it’s important to stay active in their education. Especially in the beginning of making the switch to virtual learning, it’s essential that you make sure they understand how to do the work online and are there to get in touch with us if any issues arise.
Attitude
What is your child’s attitude toward school? Do they love it and look forward to it? Is it boring and viewed as more of a chore? Is it a struggle to get them motivated to learn or are they eager and excited to learn new math skills and how things interact in science?
These factors are important when thinking about enrolling your child in a virtual school. If they dread every aspect of school, getting them online to do their studies could become a hardship for the parent. It would take a lot of patience and dedication to make that situation work. On the other hand, if they are eager to learn and don’t mind completing their coursework, then this would be an easy transition for both the parent and child.
Socializing
When parents think of schooling from home, they often are worried that their child may be withdrawn or lack social interaction with others their same age. That’s definitely not the case! There are many activities and organizations that students can involve themselves in from community theater, sports, choirs, 4H clubs…the list goes on and on. There are also different outings that are dedicated for students that homeschool and they could tag along on those field trips! When you get connected to these various groups, you’ll realize that your student is socializing just as much as students in a traditional school.
Resources and Materials
When you choose to enroll your student in My Virtual Academy, we provide everything your student needs to succeed while enrolled in our program. That includes a computer (if needed) and the software required to complete their coursework. Our staff is dedicated to helping your student shine and they keep in close communication with their students. This gives the student and teacher time to check in with each other and discuss any questions they have. Each student also receives a mentor that works closely with them. 
Finances
Parents often worry about the financial commitment that learning from home might bring. The good news is that we are a TUITION-FREE school! That’s right – tuition free! Your student will work toward obtaining their high school diploma from home and it won’t be of any cost to you. So now, you and your student can focus your efforts on obtaining the best middle and high school education in the comfort of your own home with no financial worry.
I’m interested! What do I do next?
We think your gifted student would exceed your expectations when enrolled at My Virtual Academy. Our enrollment specialists would love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. Please give us a call at 800-297-2119, go to our website, or visit our Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!
Advice, Technology, Teenagers |
We all know our kids spend too much time looking at their phones. The question is how does it affect them over time, and what do we do about it? Studies show that the average teen spends a whopping 6 hours and 40 minutes in front of a screen per day. That’s right, per day! In this study, screen time included phones, TVs, computers, and tablets. Did you know that as much as half of that time is spent on more than one device at a time? How often do you see your kid in front of the TV, yet they have their phone in hand, scrolling through social media or watching a video on YouTube? Let’s face it, we’re probably guilty of the same thing!
This large amount of screen time is bound to do some damage. Obesity rates rise, time spent socializing with family and friends decreases, as does the mental health of our teens. On the flip side, when a child’s screen time is monitored and regulated, there are improvements in physical activity levels, social interactions, and academic performance. Knowing those facts, it’s clear to see that it will be worth your time to come up with a plan on how to set screen time limits.
Here are some ways you could begin to limit your child’s screen time (and not be met with great resistance):
Be a good role model.
They watch our actions more than they listen to our words so be a good role model. Set the tone of the household when it comes to electronics and their usage. It’s hard to tell them not to be on their phones all the time when you are always on yours.
Let them know your rules about screen time and stick with them!
Read that again. You could draft all of your rules regarding screen time but if you don’t follow through and enforce them, what good are they?
Educate your teens.
Let them know what the dangers are with too much time spent in front of a screen and share with them the benefits. After all, how are they supposed to make wise decisions if they don’t have all of the facts?
Screen time is earned.
Having a hard time enforcing your new screen time rules? Then take it all away and make them earn it back. Perhaps they need to do their chores before they get an hour of screen time. Maybe they need to get an A or a B on a big test to earn some screen time. You set the goal and you set the reward time.
No screens at meal time.
A lot of families implement this rule. It’s a simple one: no TV, tablets, phones, etc. during meal times. Instead, encourage the old-fashioned pastime of talking to one another face-to-face. Share your day and ask them about theirs. It’s wonderful!
Skip the screen.
Have a certain day or two of the week where you “skip the screen.” This can make people anxious at first, but then they’ll love it! It’s so nice to unplug once a week.
You may go into this battle of reducing screen time with your guard up, anticipating the worst outcome but you may be pleasantly surprised after they get into the groove of the limited times. Your family will grow stronger because of it and your child will benefit academically. Stay strong and get over any initial push back because it will get easier and setting boundaries will be good for everyone.
If you have a 5-12th grader that is struggling a bit in school, why not try something different than the traditional education setting? As a student at My Virtual Academy, your child would get to work from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace, at times that best fit their own schedule. Who wouldn’t thrive with that way of learning? Please click here to visit our website or give our Enrollment Specialists a call at 800-297-2119 to have our program explained in detail and to have all of your questions answered! We hope to hear from you soon!
Advice, Communication |
Teenagers are forced with life-changing decisions each and every day. Pressures to smoke, drink alcohol, do drugs, and have sex are coming at them left and right during these formative years and having positive adult role models in their lives will help your teen make the right decisions and stay on the right path.
Teens might not realize it, but their behavior and the decisions they make can have consequences that last their entire life. At that age, teens don’t have a total understanding about how their actions today can affect their later years. This is where having a loving, guiding, nurturing adult comes into play. Conversations adults have with teens can motivate them to do the right thing when faced with these decisions and give them the tools they need to get themselves out of sticky situations. Adult role models also lead by example so lead the best life possible and the teens around you will notice.
There are many ways adults can be positive role models in the lives of teenagers. We’re going to give you some ways you can be a positive presence and help encourage those around you starting today!
Modeling Positive Behavior
As an adult, you can have a MAJOR impact on the lives of those around you, and that can be a positive impact or a negative one – it’s up to you and the behavior that you model. When you set a positive example and lead a life of integrity, honesty, and self-worth, are diligent, hard-working, honest, and are kind toward others, those around you (including teens) will learn from your example. If you help hold open the door for an elderly person or a mom who is struggling to push her stroller into a store, this models to others around you the polite, caring, and thoughtful thing to do. If you notice someone struggling and don’t hold the door because you are in a hurry and only worried about yourself, that teaches those around you a lot too. Do the right thing and lead by example. Others are watching your actions more than you might realize.
Quality Time
Show the teens around you that you care and are interested in them by spending good, quality time with them. Studies have shown that spending time with your teen can help boost their self-esteem and give them a greater feeling of self-worth. It’s a great time to bring up their strengths and encourage them to put them to good use. For example, if you notice that your teen likes shooting hoops in the driveway and is pretty good at it, this would be a great time to tell them that you noticed their passion and excellence in basketball and encourage them to try out for the local basketball team. Does your teen have a passion for helping others? Spend some quality time together helping the community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or shelter. Show your teen that you are really focused on them by actively listening. This let’s your teen feel more connected, shows that you care about what they are talking about, and reinforces social skills.
The Benefits Are Abundant
The more positive adult role models a teen has in their life, the better. Research has proven that those with three or more positive role models directly relates to how likely they are to succeed, resist using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and those teens typically have a higher rate of graduation. It is thought that teens with multiple good role models are equipped with the skills to effectively refuse what is being offered to them and 
stand up for what they think is right. These skills can help get teens out of tricky situations. Teens with positive role models have also decided to pursue more challenging careers. This is likely due to the fact that they feel they have the support backing their decision.
Non-Parental Role Models
Role models come in many forms; they don’t have to be limited to the teen’s parents. Often times, non-parental role models can “get through” to teens when their parents can’t. While parents are still the main role models in their children’s lives, it’s important to welcome other supportive, positive adult role models into the fold as well. There are many great options out there but make sure the role models you welcome into your teens lives are positive, encouraging, and lead by good example. Older siblings, teachers, coaches, older relatives, pastors, and trusted neighbors are all examples of people who could be excellent role models for your teen. Everyone brings different perspectives, skills, and outlooks to the table so appreciate them and the influence they have. You never know who might light a fire in your child and encourage them to lead their best life!
Adults have the important task to inspire, motivate, and encourage teens and those around them to persevere and strive to reach their goals. These role models also encourage teens to lead a positive, contributing life. It’s not always an easy task, but the rewards are worth it! How do you act as a positive role model for your teen? Leave a comment below and head over to our Facebook page to share your thoughts with other parents and role models in the My Virtual Academy community. We’d love to hear from you!
