Cara Winhold
Elementary School Teacher
Degree in Psychology, Centenary College of Louisiana; Alternative Teaching Certification, Texas Teachers; completed 50% of a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Capella University; LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training; certified Gifted and Talented teacher.
Cara Winhold is a 4th grade teacher at Oklahoma Connections Academy. She began her teaching career in 2014 and is starting her second year at Oklahoma Connections Academy. Ms. Winhold teaches English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Art, and Physical Education. She also serves as one of the school’s Gifted and Talented Representatives.
Why I Became a Teacher
In all honesty, I became a teacher because of my mom. The passion she had and still has for her students has been an inspiration to me in all of my years of teaching. As I have gotten older and had children of my own, two of my sons have autism, and that has helped me grow immensely as a teacher. I am a fierce advocate for all students, but especially those with different learning needs.
"My goal is to make the learning experience fun and exciting for every single child. I am passionate about instilling a lifelong love of learning in my students as they begin their journey toward becoming more independent learners."
— Ms. Winhold
Engaging Students Online
The most rewarding part of online teaching is the flexibility it provides to adjust assignments and curriculum to meet the unique needs of individual students. I love having the dedicated time to offer one-on-one support to students whenever they need extra help.
One of my absolute favorite activities is a Science portfolio project at the end of the year focused on earthquakes or tsunamis. Students choose a historical event involving one of these phenomena and pretend to be news reporters writing a report on it. I even offer bonus points if they record themselves giving the report! I love seeing their unique personalities shine through their reporting.
Tools and Support
An education at Oklahoma Connections Academy prepares students for the future by empowering them to become independent learners.
"By focusing on mastery and providing tools like LiveLesson® sessions and one-on-one sessions, we ensure students have the support they need to stay on track and succeed."
— Ms. Winhold
With every welcome call that I make to a new student's family, I almost always hear the same story: they weren't getting the attention they needed at their traditional school. One of our school's priorities is making sure your student gets the help they deserve. Our school can be challenging, but we work as a team. Communication and staying on track are the keys to a successful year. We use weekly newsletters, message boards, and direct texting or calling to ensure your family always has the support you need.
Some Personal Interests
My home life is wonderfully busy! I have three young boys, including a 2nd grader who is also a virtual learner and twin 4-year-olds. Two of my sons have autism, so when we aren't in "school mode," we are usually on the move with appointments or enjoying our family's shared love of trains. We moved to Oklahoma from Texas about four years ago and still enjoy heading back south to visit family whenever we can.