Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1419056
Working out the problems Not ever ything is going smoothly. Students' moving between the academy and in-person schooling has created challenges with managing class size, staf f- in g and sch edulin g throu g hout th e di strict. S om e schools had to reconfigure classes and create more combination classes. "The definite downside of a student going from the academy to their home school is that their home school may not have a spot for them anymore," Franceschi says. "So then they may have to move to a school outside of their zone. It also causes some teachers to have combi- nation classes because they don't have enough kids in one grade level at a certain school." But AEA President Luke is proud to say there have b e en no inv o lunt ar y t each er transfers. E ducators have been happy to meet their students' needs, wher- ever they are. Families and students appreciate the flexibility "I like Thomas Gaines because it lets me learn from home," says James, an eighth grader. "I only have four teachers for six classes, and I like that because it makes me feel more comfortable. I think it's easier to learn Rhonda Beshears, right, says her son James needs the virtual academy because of her husband's medical issues and James' learning disability. because I can have my mom and dad to help me if I need it." His mother, Rhonda Beshears, is grateful her son can learn online because her husband is undergoing cancer treatment, and online learn- ing reduces the chances that her son will expose her husband to COVID. "We didn't know what we were going to do without something like the academy," says Beshears. "Our only other option was independent study, but our son has a learning disability, so we weren't sure that would work." S h e says that h er son's grades have gon e up, w hich sh e attri- butes to a structured environment that is free from distractions and social pressure. Janin Gonzalez initially chose omas Gaines because she worried her son Devon would be exposed to COVID in a regular classroom. She believes that it was a good choice and he is learning valuable computer skills and self-discipline. "Virtual school last year was completely different," she says. "I'm not sure Devon will be here forever, but for now I am satisfied that Devon is learning what he needs to learn." "I like that I can be home," says Devon. "I like that the teachers let you type in the chat. And it doesn't really make a difference to me. I'm just learning on a laptop instead of being in normal school." 44 cta.org Teaching & Learning "This type of instruction allows students to go at their own pace. It's much easier to individualize instruction virtually than in person." —Samantha Franceschi, Antioch Education Association