After being diagnosed with MS, Virginia Virtual Academy teacher Mullins found a way to keep doing what she loves. She shared that the disease brought frightening symptoms, including vision problems and severe fatigue, that would have made teaching in a traditional classroom impossible. By teaching from home, she’s able to continue supporting students while managing her health, and says the virtual setting has allowed her to stay in the profession.
A parent shares how enrolling his son in Alabama Virtual Academy in 2019 transformed his educational experience after struggles in a traditional school setting due to social separation anxiety. He credits ALVA with giving his son a path forward, helping him grow in confidence, plan for dual enrollment, and build a more positive outlook on his future.
Ohio Virtual Academy is proactively shaping how AI is used in online learning through a teacher-led AI committee formed in fall 2025. As Ohio’s July 1 AI policy deadline approaches, staff are addressing plagiarism concerns by designing more “AI-resistant” assignments and practical, project-based work. Teachers are also testing AI as a classroom support tool, including custom chatbots for guided notes, lesson planning, and real-world simulations like business loan reviews.
Evan Pratt, a student at Arkansas Virtual Academy, launched Braille Bites to create braille menus for restaurants, helping blind and low-vision customers order more independently. Inspired by his own experience with vision loss, his project has already placed braille menus in 53 restaurants across Arkansas, with more on the way.