A Great River Connections Academy education prepares students with 21st-century skills that they wouldn't necessarily have otherwise. They must develop good time management skills and personal responsibility as they don't go from classroom to classroom with an adult constantly reminding them what to do. High school students are responsible for getting their work done, and they choose when they want to complete it in a day. These are skills that translate well both in college and in the career world.
Having taught in both brick and mortar and online schools, I love the opportunity to work with students all over Ohio that I might not otherwise meet. I enjoy getting to know my students, as I would in a brick-and-mortar school, and love the diversity of their reasons for being here! I have had a National Junior Olympic skier as a former student and this year I have musicians, a junior level Hockey player aiming to play Division 1 in college, and a dancer auditioning for college programs in NYC.
I always let students come hang out and chat before class begins, and I encourage them to talk to one another, especially if they have things in common. I also like to do little polls in class so students can see who else in the state shares similar interests and hobbies.