Educator Edition
Meet the FLVS Math Literacy Coach
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on September 21st, 2016
We are celebrating the 2016-17 school year with a blog series featuring FLVS faculty and staff. Meet the creative and dedicated individuals who make every day a great day at FLVS!
When you hear the term “literacy,” you might not think the subject of math applies.
Well, it does! Math has a language all its own.
Mathematics has a unique literacy that relates to vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, sequencing, and more. It takes a very special professional to support math instructors by way of literacy skills and professional development. Professional development offered by our coaches takes place year round and is based on in-depth educational research.
Coaching takes a lot of time and effort. At FLVS, we value all of our instructional coaches who work so hard behind the scenes supporting our instructors and providing them with best practices and tools so our students can be successful. Continue reading
Meet an FLVS Lead Teacher
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on September 20th, 2016
We are celebrating the 2016-17 school year with a blog series featuring FLVS faculty and staff. Meet the creative and dedicated individuals who make every day a great day at FLVS!
The role of lead teacher at Florida Virtual School is one of expertise and support for the content area they serve.
Instructors work closely with their Lead Teacher to ensure best practices in the classroom are maintained and innovations applied when the need presents itself. Another important support provided by the lead is vacation coverage for instructors. As the lead is well-versed in their content area, the coverage is seamless and students know that they have someone to ask questions to during their teacher’s vacation.
Theresa Bauman is the Lead Teacher for FLVS Parenting Skills and has been in this position for three years.
She is a veteran of the United States Army and served in Washington, DC during her service tenure. Moving into education years later, she earned her master’s degree in education applying her real-world experience with the ever-changing landscape of our schools. Continue reading
Meet a New FLVS Instructor
By Dr. Jeanne Giardino on September 19th, 2016
We are celebrating the 2016-17 school year with a blog series featuring FLVS faculty and staff. Meet the creative and dedicated individuals who make every day a great day at FLVS!
Have you ever thought about how exciting it would be to be an FLVS instructor? Well, meet Kevin Kessler who just came on board this fall to join FLVS Full Time as a dynamic science teacher!
Kevin Kessler is someone who is very friendly and gregarious. I met Kevin last year as we are both enrolled in the doctoral program at Florida Southern College and attend the same cohort.
Kevin has a warm rapport with people and is very knowledgeable about education around the world. A born traveler, he brings a rich and unique perspective to his FLVS Full Time science classroom having had adventures all across the globe.
When he first approached me about joining FLVS, I was not only excited that he could possibly join our faculty, but thought of all of the world experiences he would bring into the lives of our students. Focused on helping each and every student achieve their very best in his classroom, Kevin believes that all students can be successful and reach their highest potential. Continue reading
FLVS Joins St. Jude’s Walk for Children
By Guest Blogger on September 8th, 2016
At FLVS, our teachers and support staff make up the heart and soul of our organization. All of our efforts are centered on the lives of the individual students we serve.
This month, one of our staff members and his daughter (a student at FLVS) are especially representative of this mission as we join the statewide 5k Walk for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mike Smith, FLVS Peer Counseling and Critical Thinking Skills teacher, says that his family has been a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for more than 25 years. His cousin (who happens to be getting married the same day as the walk this year) was treated and cured there in the early 1990s. Now, Mike’s family is once again part of the St. Jude mission to cure all children stricken with cancer. Continue reading
Blueprints for Building Community
By Guest Blogger on August 11th, 2016
When I share with people (especially those who are teaching in traditional classrooms) that I’ve shifted into high gear preparing for a new year with my students, I must admit, I’ve gotten a lot of puzzled looks and questions, like “What exactly do you need to do? I mean, you teach virtually.”
Before I answer (or take offense), I take a relaxed breath and smile.
Because, like them, exactly one year ago, I didn’t have a clue.
So how do virtual elementary teachers prepare for a new crop of eager learners? Luckily, for all the new teachers just starting this adventure, the blueprint is surprisingly similar to a brick-and-mortar school. The 2016-17 year kicked off this past week by building community. Continue reading
The Value of an Online Course
By Guest Blogger on August 4th, 2016
The other weekend, my mother was happy to come and watch my son as I tackled a few things that had been on my list for a while.
My “To Do” list consisted of starting a mortgage application, purchasing some “the best way to get your baby to sleep through the night” products and printing nearly 1,000 adorable photos of my now 7 month old.
She immediately scooped up her grandson when she arrived (you would too, he’s so cute!) and took off into the other room so he could show her his new trick of “almost crawling.”
Two hours later, she came out into the kitchen and was startled to see that I was still sitting there. Continue reading
Coding Workshops Help Elementary Teachers Revolutionize Classrooms
By Guest Blogger on July 13th, 2016
Back in 2013, twin brothers Hadi and Ali Partovi started Code.org with the goal of expanding access to computer science to all students.
Their vision is that “every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science.” They also believe that computer science “should be part of core curriculum, alongside other courses such as biology, chemistry or algebra.”
Since that time, Code.org has blossomed into a full organization that supports access to computer science for students of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Continue reading
Would you look at that?
By Guest Blogger on June 27th, 2016
I’ve recently realized just how addicted I am to my phone.
My 2-year-old daughter is the one who helped me see things a bit clearer. Imagine that? See, my 2 year old pays attention to what’s around her. She sees snails idling by on the ground. Snails! And planes that fly in the sky. She sees happy faces in the clouds and she points each and every detail out to me as we play outside.
All the while I sit scrolling on my phone. Scrolling on my phone is relaxing – I will admit it destresses me and allows me the chance to reset myself if I need a few minutes. So I’m not judging phones. I work in the virtual world – trust me, I’m not judging technology. Continue reading
Redefining the Three Rs
By Guest Blogger on June 17th, 2016
Relax, Refocus, and Recharge
Not long ago, I came across an online article 16 Signs You’re a Little (or a lot) Type A. The title is a bit of a contradiction because you are really not “Type A” but, as the article points out, you might be in that “spectrum of behaviors or traits.”
Now, before we go any further, I encourage you to read the article to find out if you are a little, or a lot, Type A. (In full disclosure, I LIVE 13 out of the 16 signs!)
The good news is that being “this way” can help you stay on task or give you job security, since it’s believed many employers are looking for us! The bad news is that this term was coined by a doctor who studied a connection between a certain type (A) person and heart problems. Yikes! Continue reading
This Year’s Biggest Surprises
By Guest Blogger on June 7th, 2016
The 2015-16 year for FLVS Flex Elementary students is coming to an end…
And what a GREAT year!
Our amazing Kindergarten – 5th grade students experience flexible and fun learning in a way that suits them. As a teacher, being a part of this amazing program has offered all kinds of opportunities to grow and connect.
So what were some of my biggest surprises this year? Continue reading