Jessica Hussey
Middle School Math Teacher
Seventh grade math teacher Jessica Hussey came to Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) in 2009 after teaching in a bricks-and-mortar school and taking time off to start a family. She said that the online environment was totally new to her. However, she wanted to teach, so she gave it a shot.
“It was difficult at first,” she said, “but the staff at OCA is amazing, and they provided me with all the training and resources I needed to succeed.
“The thing I like most about being at an online school is how well I get to know my students and families,” she added. “I miss seeing students face-to-face every day in a traditional school. But in this environment, the relationships that I build are much deeper and, I think, more meaningful.”
Ms. Hussey believes OCA gives families an opportunity to succeed and thrive, whereas they may not have that opportunity somewhere else. Plus, “we have the best teachers. I so enjoy working with the people who are my colleagues! It is one of the best parts of my job,” she said.
We provide all the curriculum, teachers, and support that students need to be successful, and the families are able to keep their children at home and more closely monitor exactly what (and how) they are learning in school. It’s like the best of both worlds!
— Ms. Hussey
Ms. Hussey believes OCA gives families an opportunity to succeed and thrive, whereas they may not have that opportunity somewhere else. Plus, “we have the best teachers. I so enjoy working with the people who are my colleagues! It is one of the best parts of my job,” she said.
“The virtual classroom is the happy medium between public school and homeschooling,” she continued. “We provide all the curriculum, teachers, and support that students need to be successful, and the families are able to keep their children at home and more closely monitor exactly what (and how) they are learning in school. It’s like the best of both worlds!”
Because of her commitment to help students succeed in the virtual classroom, and because of—as one of her students noted—her wonderful sense of humor, Ms. Hussey was nominated to be one of Ohio Connections Academy’s Star Teachers of the Month for December.
“In the midst of so many things going on and such a busy schedule, it is easy to lose sight of why I am doing what I am doing and what a privilege it is to work here,” Ms. Hussey said. “I love my students, I love the people I work with, and I love teaching. I suppose I’ve got it pretty good!”