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I have been with Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) since 2007. I teach English 11, and as a Lead Teacher, I coordinate our Academic Success Group for students in grades 9-12. I am thrilled to have the chance to work with such an exciting group of students and families. I love the combination of academic rigor, flexibility, and personal connection that ORCA enables students to have.

Educationally, I have worked in and attended schools of all shapes and sizes. My bachelor degree is in English and women’s studies from the University of Arizona; my master’s is in literature from Mills College in Oakland, CA; and my teaching licensure came through Portland State University’s Graduate Teacher Education Program.

I love skiing, running, hiking in the amazing mountain ranges that surround Portland, and bird-watching with my 3-year-old son Jackson.

I love working for ORCA because it provides such an important option for families looking for the best fit for their students. ORCA is challenging yet flexible; a space where students work individually yet are part of a vast online community; a school where students and teachers can work one-on-one; a partnership between students, parents, and teachers; and a vibrant 21st-century education. If an online school sounds like the right fit for your family, I would love to answer any questions you might have.

Hello! My name is Katie Wallig, and I teach eighth grade social studies at Oregon Connections Academy. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in history and Master of Arts in teaching at Willamette University, and I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in a bricks-and-mortar school before coming to work at ORCA in 2007.

I enjoy teaching at ORCA because of the close relationships I am able to build with my students and their parents and Learning Coaches. Because most communication happens one-on-one in phone calls and WebMail conversations, I am able to focus on each individual student, answer their questions, and adjust the curriculum as needed to meet their needs. I love watching my students learn and grow throughout the school year as they tackle challenging assignments, improve their critical-thinking skills, and become confident, independent learners.

What makes Connections Academy unique and exciting are our tools for online communication, such as message boards and Live Lesson® sessions. Not only do these tools facilitate communication between teachers and students, they help students connect with their peers as well. In my Live Lesson® sessions, students from all parts of Oregon and all different backgrounds are able to discuss their lessons and share ideas with one another. We also have a wide variety of field trips in all parts of the state where teachers and students can meet face-to-face.

One final thing I love about working at ORCA is the collaboration among teachers. Teachers frequently work together across subject areas and across grade levels to share ideas and brainstorm ways to support struggling students. I feel privileged to be part of a caring and supportive staff that is committed to helping all students succeed.>

Please contact me if you want to know more about our middle school program. I hope I can answer your questions so that you can discover whether ORCA is the right fit for your child.

I have been teaching at Oregon Connections Academy since our school opened in 2005. I am a Master Teacher and teach grades 3 and 4 this year. I have taught K–5 in my time at ORCA. I was so intrigued by the idea of Connections Academy and have been so proud of what we have achieved in the last five years.

I love how I’m able to connect with my students and Learning Coaches through WebMail, LiveLesson® sessions, field trips, and phone calls. I am so passionate about our program and love being able to give my families one-on-one attention and making sure all their needs are met. Through the flexibility and individualization of our program, all students are able to excel and achieve their goals. I am eagerly looking forward to another year at ORCA and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.