Shelley McCracken
Learning Coach
Shelley McCracken is a mother, grandmother, and retired captain who served 20 years in the United States Air Force. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology (with an emphasis in community and medicine) from Kansas Newman College, Wichita, Kansas. She has been married for 42 years and has 2 daughters, 3 granddaughters, and 1 grandson. Shelley adopted two of her grandchildren and serves as a Learning Coach to her grandson, Josh, who attends Wyoming Connections Academy (WYCA).
Shelley learned about WYCA when she was looking for school alternatives for Josh. Josh was not doing well in his bricks-and-mortar school. His low attention span resulted in poor grades, and his choice of peers was leading him in the wrong direction. So, when Shelley was referred to WYCA, she found that the program was perfect for her and Josh! Now, Josh is able to work at his own pace, determining in what order he wants to do his schoolwork. He chooses to do his math first thing in the morning because he likes to get it over with as soon as possible.
Shelley likes that the lesson formats are interesting and engage Josh with interactive games, movies, labs, LiveLesson® sessions, and discussions. Shelley says, “My favorite part of WYCA is the ability to be actively involved in Josh’s education. I know exactly what he is learning, what assignments are due, when they are due, and how much effort he has to put into the assignments.
When he was in the local traditional school, I tried to get teachers to let me know what was due, but it was a constant struggle to get all of the teachers to communicate with me. Josh was not interested in school enough to put in the effort, so it was a constant struggle to make sure he was doing his schoolwork. For him, school was a social event and had little to do with education.
With WYCA, all I have to do is look at his schedule to know what is required of him, and I can ensure that he completes it satisfactorily. Since I know what he is studying, I have many conversations with him about the materials, and I can ensure that he is grasping the ideas that he is studying. I do not let him turn in shoddy work. It has to pass my evaluation before I let him submit anything.The teachers at WYCA are exemplary. They keep in close communication, and anytime I have any issue, they resolve it for me quickly. As for Josh’s social needs, he participates in sports with the local school, which keeps him in contact with other motivated students. The quality of his peer relations has greatly improved. I could not be happier with my decision to enroll Josh in WYCA!”
"My favorite part of WYCA is the ability to be actively involved in Josh’s education. I know exactly what he is learning, what assignments are due, when they are due, and how much effort he has put into the assignments."
— Shelley