Leigh Vozzella
Secondary English Teacher
Associate of Arts Degree, English and World Studies, Bunker Hill Community College
Bachelor of Arts Degree, English and Society, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Master’s Degree, Education: Curriculum and Instruction, University of Massachusetts Boston
Leigh Vozzella started teaching in 2017 and joined Rhode Island Connections Academy in 2020. She currently teaches English to students in grades 7–12.
Why I Became a Teacher
My path toward becoming a teacher began a long time ago, at the age of 6, and has included many twists, turns, and detours! I was that child who took home the workbooks at the end of the school year to “play school” all summer. When asked the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I always responded, “A teacher!” So, what did I become when I grew up? A writer!
While raising and homeschooling my four children and putting myself through college, I worked as a freelance journalist and editor. Upon completing my associate of arts degree, I decided to serve for two years with AmeriCorps, working with middle and high school students. My two years with AmeriCorps is where my childhood passion for becoming a teacher was reignited.
The Online School Experience at Rhode Island Connections Academy
I love the sense of community we have! We work together to ensure that every student and family is supported, feels welcome, and is set up for success. I feel that online learning provides a more intimate setting to truly get to know my students and build genuine relationships with them and their families. When students feel connected, they are more apt to learn and succeed.
There is a plethora of tools available to educators now to foster student engagement and to do it in a way that meets the individual needs of all students. Tools may include group work in breakout rooms, students using their microphones or chat to participate in discussions, student polls, collaboration sites such as Padlet, or interactive lessons such as Kahoot, EdPuzzle, and Nearpod.
"I feel that online learning provides a more intimate setting to truly get to know my students and build genuine relationships with them!"
— Ms. Vozzella
Message for Families Considering Online School
As a secondary educator, instilling “scholarly habits” is one of my goals for my students. Rhode Island Connections Academy provides the perfect environment for students to develop their communication, technology, time-management, and self-advocacy skills. These habits transfer into real-life professional skills that will aid in their future success. The combination of these skills with our rigorous curriculum provides outstanding preparation for a bright and successful future for our students.
If you’re considering Rhode Island Connections Academy, I suggest that you take the plunge! As a former homeschooling parent, I understand how scary it may feel to take more of an ownership role in your student’s education, but it’s worth it! You will not find a more supportive, communicative, and caring educational community than we have here!
My Interests
I love to travel, and I drove across the country on Rt. 66 from Santa Monica to Boston in 2015. I am one of those New Englanders who complains it’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, but would never dream of living anywhere else! I enjoy photography and taking my yellow labrador, Toby, for walks in the woods and the beach. My favorite smell in the world is old books. (I know, shocking from an English teacher!) When I am not working or training Toby (he’s a service dog in training), then I am usually deep in sarcastic and/or thought-provoking conversations with my four very tall children.