The Virtual Voice

A Day in the Life of an Online Teacher

Things to LOVE about Live Video Lessons

By on February 12th, 2020

As you may know, FLVS recently started using Zoom for our live instruction – a cloud-based platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and live interaction. As with any change, this has taken some getting used to, but I am really loving this new tool for interacting with my students and families! Continue reading

Building Online Elementary School Relationships

By on July 10th, 2019

When I first accepted a job with Florida Virtual School as a Kindergarten teacher, I thought there was no way I’d be able to make the same connections with my students as I did in a brick-and-mortar school. I don’t see my students every day and my role looks different than a traditional classroom teacher.

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6 Interesting Facts About Teaching at FLVS

By on May 15th, 2019

At Florida Virtual School, we value our diverse and dedicated team of instructors who are the foundation of our students’ success.

Teachers new to online learning often have questions about the technology or how they communicate with students. At FLVS, our award-winning student information system, Virtual School Administrator (VSA), allows us to manage, track, and engage our students. Our learning management system allows students to access the curriculum, coursework, and teacher feedback. While these tools facilitate quality instruction, the relationships teachers build with students remain central to the online teaching experience.

Want to learn more about what it’s like to teach in a virtual environment? Don’t miss the day-in-the-life video below and these interesting facts about teaching at FLVS! Continue reading

When Elementary School Goes Virtual

By on December 17th, 2018

I teach Kindergarten at FLVS.  I know, teaching Kindergarten VIRTUALLY sounds nearly impossible. So, here’s how it works.  Most of our FLVS Flex Elementary students are homeschool students. They register with FLVS for curriculum support and we meet with them twice a week in our virtual classroom for live lessons. Not only are we a teacher for our students, we are a partner with the home educator, which is often the student’s mom or dad. It’s a great option for families who want to homeschool, but also want a classroom experience and the support of a certified teacher. Continue reading

FLVS in the Days of Dial-Up Internet

By on September 26th, 2017

It was August of 2000. As my friends who taught in a brick-and-mortar classroom got up at 6 a.m. to face their first day, I was starting my first day as a virtual school teacher.

I was one of three Personal Fitness teachers and together we were going to change the face of how people thought of PE online. My routine was easy and executed with timely precision. Continue reading

Rock On: Expert Advice from Two Master Teachers

By on July 20th, 2017

Every time I look back at my career as a teacher, I realize how far I have come.

What I find truly astounding is that what made the most impact in my practice was not learned in the resounding hallways of my Alma Mater or the momentous conference rooms of the many in-service training sessions I’ve completed, but interacting and networking with my peers. Sometimes I will get the best idea from asking a question or brainstorming in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) session.

And just like a movie flashback, I am back at the topic for this blog!

I wanted to ask some questions to our teachers that everyone else also asks. It was difficult to single out one or two teachers, because here at FLVS I feel that I am teaching in the middle of a rock festival and every teacher I know is a rock star!

To narrow it down, I reached out to two of our Teacher of the Year nominees, Amsler Burns and Kellie Shellenberger. Continue reading