Skip to main content
Stride Insights Logo
STRIDE CORPORATE
Text
GO
Filter
Menu
Career Exploration District Solutions Education Policy & Advocacy K-12 Education K12-Education Social Responsibility
Back to All

From Online Skeptic to a Devoted Digital Educator: How I Learned the Power of Meeting My Students Where They Are

article | Oct 09, 2018 | Sheri McKeever
Share

After spending 17 years teaching in a brick-and-mortar school, I was skeptical of moving to an online setting. During my career in a traditional classroom, I worked with students of all ages—from second grade to college. I didn't have any complaints about my job and felt totally fulfilled. 

But, after a friend encouraged me to move to a digital teaching environment, I decided to give it a shot. Initially, I thought working for a virtual school would be a temporary arrangement, with the goal of finishing out my first year and moving on to another traditional classroom. I had a very negative view of online education and did not think it would be the right fit for me or my teaching philosophy.

However, after a few months, my outlook began to shift. I was shocked to find that the online classroom allowed me to reach students in ways a traditional setting couldn't offer. I had been completely wrong—this was not a negative situation at all.

Meeting Students Where They Are – Even at the Eye Doctor

For context, many of my students have a different set of needs than their peers in a traditional school. A virtual platform allows me to meet my students and their families where they are, rather than confining them to the constraints of a physical building. I can email, text, call, and see my students in person if need be—and at times during the day that work for them. 

If my student needs to stay in the hospital for a period of time or work a job during regular business hours, they can—virtually—bring me and the classroom with them. Obstacles that would prohibit my students from attending a traditional school are just a part of life in our online classroom, accommodating seemingly impossible circumstances on a daily basis.

In my first few months, I taught a student who was experiencing homelessness in St. Paul and another who was training for the Olympics in the Duluth area—in the same classroom. 

Another student of mine hated reading, though he couldn't pinpoint why. So, he took his laptop—which included the classroom and me—with him to the eye doctor. By interacting with the platform, the doctor figured out that my student was suffering from a physical eye issue. After being diagnosed and treated for his condition, this student learned that he actually loved to read. My student wouldn't have been able to mobilize a brick-and-mortar classroom in the same way, which ultimately let him discover the root of his problem and his affinity for a good book.

Continuous Improvement

More often than not, my students are passionate about learning. Their desire to persevere and achieve their ultimate goal—walking across the graduation stage—is inspiring. I'm committed to doing everything I can to get them there.

Though I see the value in online education, I also understand that there is plenty of room for improvement. It's not a perfect system. But, I'm so proud to be surrounded by a community of online educators who are willing to put themselves out there. We're constantly looking for ways to improve—and we're committed to overcoming roadblocks. 

For us, no challenge is too great to tackle because we share a common goal: helping our students overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. Today, I can only express how happy I am that I made the switch. 

 

KEYWORDS: Constant Improvement, Flexibility, Innovation, Personalized Learning, Student Support, Teacher Engagement, Unlocking Potential, Teachers, School Options

Share

 

Related Articles

Read more >
article-placeholder-thumb
Category Name | Date

Article TItle

Description

Read More
Date

PARENT AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Enrollment Help
855.686.3515

Technical Support for Computers & Online School Support for Approved Families
HELP.K12.COM | 866.512.2273

INVESTOR SUPPORT

For more investor information please contact us.

MEDIA RESOURCES

For media inquiries please check out our Media Kit or contact press@k12.com

LIFELONG SOLUTIONS

  • Stride Career Prep
  • K12 Tuition-Free Online Public Schools
  • K12 Private Academy
  • The Keystone School
  • K12 Learning Solutions
  • George Washington University Online High School
  • Galvanize
  • Tech Elevator
  • MedCerts

MEET STRIDE

  • Visit Stride Corporate Site
  • Mission & Vision
  • Leadership & Board
  • News
  • Careers
  • Careers at Galvanize
  • Careers at MedCerts
  • Careers at Tech Elevator

K12 Inc.’s corporate name change to Stride, Inc., is effective as of December 16, 2020. Stride trades on the NYSE under the symbol LRN.

Copyright © 2020 Stride, Inc. All rights reserved. The Stride word mark, logo and other marks referenced herein are trademarks of Stride, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and other company names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Privacy Policy    |    Accessibility    |    IP Policy    |    Terms of Use    |    Download Adobe Reader

Let’s go to Careers at K12.com

Formerly K12, Inc., Stride careers currently reside at K12.com. Explore open opportunities, our culture and more.

VISIT CAREERS AT K12.COM
Loading... please wait Loading...please wait
Loading finished Loading finished