All Educations, Communication, Education, High School, Technology, Virtual School |
Teachers are the backbone of a student’s education. Along with parents/guardians, they help keep their students moving forward when life gets hard and they feel like quitting. We go to great pains when bringing a teacher on board at My Virtual Academy, and we may have a slight bias, but we think we have the best teachers around!
Take a moment to watch this edition of “What’s Up Wednesday” with Renee Weaver-Wright where she interviews one of our high school teachers, Mr. Jason Z.
Jason’s passion for teaching radiates in every word he speaks. Like the rest of our staff, Jason makes it a point to develop personal relationships with the students and takes a strong interest in making sure they succeed. One of his main objectives is inspiring each student he meets to achieve success in their academic lives, which usually translates over to their personal lives.
As a student, contact with your mentors, teachers, and supporting staff is vital to your success. Jason contacts his students on an almost daily basis. This contact allows him the chance to see what his students are working on, answer any questions they may have, give some help with the lesson plan they are working on, and direct them to a Curriculum Specialist if they need additional help.
In this interview, Jason points out that a key difference between traditional school and virtual learning: the teacher-student relationship. Even though you are face-to-face on a daily basis in a traditional school, you forge much deeper relationships when you are in a virtual setting. How and when you can interact is not dictated by the bells at the beginning and end of class. With virtual learning, communication happens much more freely and is more flexible. Teachers become more aware of the challenges and struggles their student’s are facing and they can help guide them along the way.
In addition to being an outstanding teacher, Jason is also the designated “Bell Ringer” at MVA. Want to know why we ring the bell? Tune in here to find out why we have this awesome tradition!
After you watch that episode of “What’s Up Wednesday” with Renee and Jason, reach out to us for more information. You care about your student and their success and we do too. Bringing students in and getting them to graduation is our main objective and your student will be no different. You can visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or simply give us a call at 800-297-2119. We are currently enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year so call today!!
Advice, Education, Technology, Virtual School |
One of the biggest perks about being a virtual student is that you can learn from the comfort of your own home. Unlike traditional school, we don’t care if you stay in your pj’s, are in your bed, or are lounging on the couch while looking over your coursework. You can be as comfortable as you want and learn from wherever you want. That’s part of the draw to virtual learning, right? While all of that is true, you have to have some self-discipline when studying at home because distractions are everywhere!
Your mind can wander. The television goes on. The neighbor’s dog barks. A loud car flies down the street. Distractions happen constantly around the house. With technology literally at our fingertips, it’s super easy to start browsing the internet or checking your social media accounts and before you know it, hours have flown by and no work has been done.
In a traditional school environment, you need to be physically and mentally present to succeed. Same goes for virtual learning. When your mind wanders or you get tied up doing chores or surfing the internet, it’s easy to start falling behind in your studies. Thinking that you will “catch up tomorrow” doesn’t always pan out so it’s really important to make the commitment and set some limits for yourself. Virtual learning definitely requires some discipline on the student and the parents to make sure time is carved out for learning.
At My Virtual Academy, your success is our number one goal. We design our courses so that success is knocking at your door. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and do your part. When you attend a virtual academy, you are always online. After all, that is how you complete your schooling. It’s vital that you stay motivated and distraction-free so that you can stay focused on the task at hand and keep your schooling on track.
Keep these tips in mind to keep yourself free from distractions:
Setup a study area
You need an area of your house that is dedicated to school. There should be a desk, lamp, computer, plenty of room to work, and other school must-haves like paper, pens, and pencils. This area should be free from distractions and be a warm, inviting area for you to study. Setting the stage for success is important when virtual learning and having a special area that is just for you and your studies is a great step in the right direction!
Turn notifications off
Since you will be learning virtually, you will be online
where there are sure to be tons of distractions. Try turning off your notification settings so that if you receive a notice from one of your social media accounts or a text message, you won’t be alerted and tempted to view it. Keep your study time for your studies. If you were at a traditional school, you wouldn’t be able to check your phone or Facebook in the middle of math class, so use that same mentality when studying at home.
Studies come first
Whether you reach out to a fellow virtual learner to get some help on an assignment or have another friend who gave you a call, make sure to stay on track and keep your studies first. Catching up with friends will have to wait until you have done your work for the day. Same goes for talking to a fellow student. You may find that your conversation wanders to things that don’t have to do with school but try to re-route the conversation and bring it back to school. Get through your work for the day then pick up where you left off.
Be successful with a schedule
As a virtual learner, the day is yours. You do not have to be to school by the time the first bell rings at 7:00am. There are no bells. You set your schedule. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you are responsible and carve some time into each day for your studies and coursework. Make a schedule and stick to it. View the time you scheduled for school just as important as any other thing you have going on because it is! Setting aside time for school every day helps you stay on course and not fall behind.
We are so happy we were able to share these wonderful little tidbits to help keep you on track and on the path to success. We can’t wait to see all of the great things you accomplish during your time at My Virtual Academy! Should you have any questions or are ready to complete your enrollment, give us a call at 800-297-2119. Our friendly staff is standing by and ready to help!
Advice, Communication, Teenagers, Virtual School |
Change is always scary and is often met with resistance. Even when a child is struggling in their current school, it can be frightening to make a change and begin learning virtually. They most likely understand that their current school environment isn’t working for them. They might be bullied, a pregnant teen, someone who has an illness that prevents them from attending school regularly, or someone who has a learning disability and is falling through the cracks. Even with obstacles mounted against them, change is hard and it’s always a good thing to sit down and have an open discussion about switching up how they school so they aren’t blindsided by the change. Having a talk with your child will help ease anxiety and get them excited about making the change.
Start by explaining why you think switching schools would be beneficial for them. Get their input. Do they perceive the same struggles that you do? Explain how a virtual school, such as My Virtual Academy, would be a positive change. Give some examples on how virtual learning helps them to get their education while solving the problems they are currently facing.
Key points to mention are:
- Virtual learning provides a flexible learning environment where they can learn from the comfort of their own home.
- For teen moms, this allows them to care for their baby while completing their studies as the day allows.
- Bullied teens, are no longer forced to sit in a classroom with students who belittle, tease, and harm them.
- For those students who have a learning disability or struggle to keep up with the rest of the class, this flexible learning model allows them to move forward at their own pace. They will no longer be rushed through the coursework just to keep up with the rest of the class.
- Students who have a hard time focusing in a traditional classroom will benefit from working in a calmer, more controlled home environment.
- For student athletes or those who travel frequently, the ability to learn wherever there is an internet connection is amazing. Students no longer have to worry about falling behind in school while following their passion.
- Students with health issues can complete their coursework at any time during the day, which frees them up for doctor appointments, therapy sessions, and any other needs that arise.
Make sure you keep your tone light, excited, and eager for the change. Your enthusiasm will rub off on your adolescent. Let them know that they will still have interaction with state-certified teachers and a mentor. They can still socialize with others their age through city sports groups or other local groups that interest them.
It’s important that your child feel free to ask you questions so make sure you are open to that. Since virtual learning is new to them, they may have lots and lots of questions! Let them know that you are there to answer any questions they may have and that if you don’t know the answer, you can look it up together on our website or by giving us a call.
Once your teen is on board, let them help get ready for the change. They will need a nice, quiet study area so let them pick out a few new things for their desk and get some new supplies, like a day planner. They’ll need that to keep track of their time and upcoming assignments. When you let them help organize their area, it gives them some ownership and gets them excited about the new venture.
By working hand-in-hand with your student, changing schools will be a smooth transition. Your teen will feel like they are working on a clean slate with a bright future.
At My Virtual Academy, we work hard to give every student all of the tools they need to succeed. After all, their success is our success. Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have and help with the enrollment process, so please call us at 800-297-2119. You can also browse our website by clicking here and find the answers to many of your questions there.
A child’s education is very important and helps prepare them for their adult life. Don’t let your child have a bad educational experience because they are scared to make the change. Please reach out to us if we can be of any assistance when making this big decision.
Education, Virtual School |
For many students, the traditional classroom simply isn’t the right fit. Perhaps they need a bit longer to grasp the material, compared to most in their classroom. Maybe they are bullied and dread going to school each day. Others may have encountered a health crisis either with them or a close family member and it makes it hard to make it to school on a regular basis. Whatever the situation is, when your 5-12th grader is having difficulties, please know there are other options out there when it comes to completing their schooling.
My Virtual Academy is a tuition-free school that allows your student to learn virtually, in the comfort of their own home. Many students benefit from being a virtual learner because they can learn at their own pace, whether that be fast or slow. Also, our programs are flexible and tailored to each student’s individual needs. Students love that they have more control over their education and do really well in this type of school, when they may have struggled in the past.
Online schools benefit many different types of students such as teen moms, those who travel due to sports, modeling, etc., advanced learners, and those who learn at a slower pace. With technology at everyone’s fingertips these days, being a virtual learner has never been easier! If your student doesn’t have the tools needed to learn at home, don’t fret – we provide it for them while they are enrolled!
Take a look at some of the benefits of virtual learning:
Customized Learning
We don’t make everyone follow the same coursework, regardless of their learning needs. This is not a “one size fits all” approach because that methodology doesn’t work for all students. Our curriculum takes into account each student’s learning needs and objectives. The customization allows students to excel versus feeling overwhelmed and defeated.
Flexibility
Does your student learn at a rapid pace and feel that traditional schools aren’t challenging enough? We’ve got them covered! Does your child get anxious and stumble through things because they need more time, but are rushed to keep up with the rest of the class? We’ve got them covered too! Regardless how your student learns, we will work at their pace to ensure that they succeed. Having the freedom to learn at their own pace gives students the confidence they need to dive in and do their best work.
Early Completion
Is your student looking to graduate ahead of schedule? You’ve come to the right place! Since students learn at their own pace, early graduation is certainly possible for some individuals. Our staff can go over all of the options for your child, if this is something that is of interest to you.
Proficiency in Technology
Students will use a variety of online resources to complete their education, communicate with instructors, as well as with other students. As a result, virtual learners tend to be more technologically fluent and efficient than others their age in traditional schools.
Certified Staff and Amazing Mentors
When people say “it takes a village” to raise a child, that also rings true when it comes to their schooling. Not only will the parent(s) be a strong influence in their everyday schooling, but they will have weekly interaction with their certified teachers and will also be connected with a mentor that will help them and check in to see if they are staying on track.
Work Where Comfortable
Some students cannot attend a traditional school regularly due to a variety of life situations. When you are a virtual learner, you can learn anywhere that has an internet connection! This freedom is priceless for many students, such as those who travel a lot for extracurricular activities or who may be in the hospital.
The Pressure is off
Students often feel immense pressure when they are in a traditional classroom. Will they be called upon to read in front of the class? Will they be asked to solve a math problem on the board? For those with anxiety issues or for those who have learning difficulties, day-to-day classroom activities can make for an anxious seven hour school day. Being a virtual learner removes those stressors and allows the student to learn at ease. Students typically exceed expectations when they are learning in a comfortable environment, at their own pace.
See If My Virtual Academy is Right for Your Child
My Virtual Academy is for students in grades 5-12. Our friendly staff would love to talk to you and see if virtual learning would be the perfect fit for your child. Imagine a learning environment where your student is free to be themselves and can learn without the pressures that typically face them at a traditional school. Becoming a virtual learner could be the perfect move for your student! You can browse our website by clicking here, take a stroll on our Facebook page, or call us at 800-297-2119 for additional information and to talk to our staff. We look forward to discussing how MVA could fit your needs.
Education, Middle School, Teenagers, Virtual School |
For many students, the traditional classroom simply isn’t working and delivering positive results. Your middle schooler might be struggling with peer pressure, bullying, or learning disabilities that make it hard to keep up with the rest of the students. Think about how different each student is in a classroom. How realistic is it to expect every student to learn in the same way and at the same pace? It’s no wonder some kids get left in the dust or beat themselves up for not being able to keep up.
School doesn’t need to be a struggle. There are options out there besides traditional schooling and one of those options is virtual learning. My Virtual Academy is a tuition-free school that allows your student to learn virtually, in the comfort of their own home. Many students benefit from learning this way because they can learn at their own pace. Also, our programs are flexible and tailored to each student’s individual needs. Students love that they have more control over their education and do really well in this type of school, when they may have struggled in the past.
Online schools benefit many different types of students such as teen moms, those who travel due to sports, modeling, etc., advanced learners, and those who learn at a slower pace. With technology at everyone’s fingertips these days, being a virtual learner has never been easier! If your student doesn’t have the tools needed to learn at home, don’t fret – we provide it for them while they are enrolled!
As if those reasons weren’t enticing enough, My Virtual Academy stands out above the rest because we:
- Have accreditation by Cognia.
- Ensure that our teachers, success coaches, and mentors make personal contact to direct each student at least twice each week. Tutoring assistance is always available.
- Use the Edmentum™ software and have customized its Plato® classes for middle school student success. A team of middle school teachers and curriculum specialists have created our own customized Back On Track courses.
- Have added a new two-pronged approach to learning to diagnose strengths and needs and deliver targeted instruction to help learners achieve growth and proficiency:
- Reading, Language Arts, and Math – Exact Path individualizes learning to ensure students work at their appropriate grade level. Adaptive diagnostic assessments provide reliable growth measures while metrics from adaptive learning progress tacks the student’s progress.
- Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies – Study Island® promotes proficiency with over 600,000 practice and assessments built to state standards. Data from flexible practice sessions and customized classroom assessments track progress toward standards mastery.
- Have curriculum that is interactive and media-rich with activities and learning tools to really engage students.
- Reading tools include dictionary, slide narration, and click-to-speak
- Highlighter tool for note-taking
- Computerized note taking section
- Translation tools especially helpful for ESL students
- Scoring rubrics focused on learning and retention
- Ability to replay and repeat lesson until mastery is achieved
- Employ teachers that are State certified and monitor each student’s progress and track activity daily.
- Keep parents informed and try to involve them in their child’s education.
- Ensure our curriculum is aligned with State standards and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on any device.
Let’s not leave your child in a classroom that simply isn’t meeting their needs. Taking the first step to make the change is the hardest, but it will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made in regards to your child’s schooling.
Our friendly staff would love to talk to you and see if virtual learning would be the perfect fit for your adolescent. Imagine a learning environment where your student is free to be themselves and can learn without the pressures that typically face them at a traditional school. You can browse our website by clicking here or call us at 800-297-2119 for additional information and to talk to our staff. We look forward to discussing how My Virtual Academy could fit your needs.
Advice, Creative Learning, Education, High School, Technology, Teenagers, Virtual School |
When it comes to your child’s education, it’s best not to have a “one size fits all” mentality because often times, that’s far from the truth. You may have one child who excels in the traditional school setting while another child is falling behind at a rapid pace. The rate and method of how each child learns can be vastly different. Back in the day, there used to be no real option to help out those who needed a different learning environment, but luckily the virtual schools today can do just that.
At My Virtual Academy, we take great pride in helping students with various learning needs. Our school caters to students who have previously been homeschooled, expelled, bullied, are teen mothers, those who have physical and/or mental illness, and even those who are advanced and need a more challenging, accelerated program. Virtual school has been a saving grace for those students who were struggling day in, day out. Our staff works diligently to ensure that every student has the resources they need to succeed!
Often times, when a student starts falling behind, they think their only option is to drop out of school. They are failing classes and they don’t see any way they could turn their situation around. A virtual school like My Virtual Academy could be the light at the end of the tunnel for students in this situation. With virtual schooling, the student learns at their own pace, in the comfort of their own home. It can reduce their stress, allow them to focus on their studies, and get back on the right path. When students make the switch, they often surprise themselves because not only do they make progress, but they thrive in the new school environment.
On the other hand, students who are gifted might be bored in a traditional brick and mortar school. They may need more challenging curriculum and with virtual learning, they will get just that! It is a great option for students who wish to complete their schooling ahead of schedule or want to stay ahead of the game. The rate at which they learn is up to them.
Virtual learning has benefited students with different learning needs, including:
Struggling Students
The traditional classroom isn’t the best learning environment for everyone. Students with learning disabilities find it hard, if not impossible, to learn at the same rate and in the same manner as the other students in their class. They may find it hard to stay seated for a seven hour school day and their minds may wander or daydream and before they know it, they missed the lesson being taught and are further behind. At My Virtual Academy, our curriculum is tailored to each student’s specific needs, making each course more engaging for the student.
Gifted Students
When a student has mastered their grade-appropriate coursework, it’s time to step up the game and keep them engaged and challenged. By providing stimulating assignments, they are allowed to continue to grow and thrive at the pace that is just right for them. Challenging coursework is exactly what they need to continue to expand their mind and we provide just that at My Virtual Academy!
Those Who Need More Support
Have you ever been in a classroom where a lesson was taught but it simply didn’t make sense to you? Chances are a lot of us have been in that situation. It can be embarrassing to ask for help in front of your peers. Aside from that, sometimes it can be hard to get the one-on-one help you need from the teacher because their attention is divided between 20+ students. That’s not the case with virtual learning! You have access to certified teachers along with a district approved mentor. There is two-way communication to make sure your student is getting the support they need.
Students Experiencing Social Difficulties
Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere but it is prevalent in traditional schools. When someone is the victim of bullying, it affects every aspect of their life. They may not want to go to school or if they are there, they withdraw. They may start to lash out and begin exhibiting bad behavior. They may begin to hang with the wrong friends as means of aligning themselves with people who may be viewed as intimidating to the bully. Removing your student from that environment and placing them in a virtual school may be just the thing they need to get back on the right path. Their threat of bullying is removed and they can turn their attention to their studies.
Those Who Face Unforeseen Hardships
Life happens and sometimes it gives us more than we feel we can handle. Whether your student and/or family is going through a serious illness, divorce, or unexpected pregnancy, they can still stay on track with school and keep moving forward. When facing a major hardship, it can be very difficult to focus on school work. With virtual learning, you can set your own pace instead of being locked into a classroom during regular school hours.
Our wonderful staff at My Virtual Academy works tirelessly to ensure that every student can succeed. It can be a scary thing to venture out and try a new way of schooling but often times, taking the first step is the hard part. Once you see how much your student loves it and that they are flourishing, it won’t take long to see you made the right choice. We think your student will find that working on their own time, in their own home, in a virtual atmosphere works best.
Give us a call at 800-297-2119 and give your student a fresh start. You can also click here to enroll today!
