Workplace Culture
A Virtual Teacher’s New Year’s Resolutions
By Elise Harris on December 29th, 2014
As we prepare to welcome a new year, let’s be mindful of our successes and our moments to grow.
Will you be hitting the reset button?
Educators, will you be adding to your classroom and personal routines? Parents, will you be seeking new ways to be involved in your child’s education? Students, are you setting goals or hoping to improve your study habits?
Here is my list of New Year’s resolutions as a virtual instructor: Continue reading
Finding Work Life Balance
By Guest Blogger on January 23rd, 2014
Almost a year into my career at FLVS, I would consider myself a work-life balance guru. That has not always been the case.
When I first came to FLVS in early 2013, I had no idea how important work-life balance would become. Coming from a brick-and-mortar school, I was used to working hard for eight hours a day and then walking away from my work once I left to get my daughter from daycare. Imagine my shock when I transitioned to virtual education where the work followed me everywhere.
The phone rang often, even after hours. My gradebook was never empty. At times, my VSA data and student numbers felt overwhelming. Sometimes I felt like the work was overtaking me and that it was overtaking every aspect of my life. And worse, I felt like I was not able to put the students’ needs first since I was so overwhelmed. Continue reading
The Power of Words
By Guest Blogger on December 17th, 2013
Earlier this year, our FLVS Teacher of the Year, Shawn Wigg, shared his thoughts on the power of negativity in a blog post for The Virtual Voice. His comments were inspired by a presentation given by Jon Acuff, one of the keynote speakers at the Florida Virtual School 2013 Professional Learning Conference.
Jon explored the five stages every life goes through on the path to awesome and looked at what it takes to punch fear in the face, escape average, and do work that matters. As you can imagine, Jon’s words resonated with FLVS employees on several levels. He spoke to us about our influence on others and how often people don’t realize how their actions and words affect those around them. Jon left us with an equation to consider: “1 Insult + 1,000 Compliments = 1 Insult.” Continue reading