A blessing for children who are both challenged and challenging, the Virtual Schoolhouse model also provides teachers with a welcome opportunity to be effective educators. “I'll never forget my first assignment in public school with 45 children in one class. It was overwhelming,” says Tall. “I spent more time dealing with behavioral issues and discipline. It almost chased me out of teaching. I thought, ‘I didn't go into teaching for this. I really want to teach children.’”
Although an unfamiliar option to most parents, charter schools provide an alternate educational opportunity for children in a public school district that is performing badly.
“A charter school is supposed to be a unique take on education. They're supposed to be something special,” says Virtual Schoolhouse principal Brook Campana. “It's not supposed to mimic the regular model of public school because obviously the basic public school model is not making it in that area.”
With the success of Virtual Schoolhouse, Learning Concept, which oversees operations and manages the school from a business perspective, is rapidly expanding. Currently, the company is working with parents and school districts in Ohio and other parts of the country to develop alternative educational models that match the needs of children in that particular district. The flexibility and creative approaches possible with the charter school model is the key to their success.
“We promote a home-based program for students who are working. Some are home-based [due to illness], some are in professional dance or in professional sports and we send out tutors to them,” says Campana. “And we have a center-based program where students come into the center. Classrooms are very small. In high school it’s about a 15 to one ratio, and in elementary it’s about six to one.”
For Mathew, this kind of educational opportunity has made all the difference. Instead of struggling, unsupported, through a school agenda ill-suited for his personality, interests and talents, he is now encouraged. How far he takes his education is up to him – but as he points out, “Some people are born with an extra special something that they've already tapped into. Other people might not tap into it. Some people may do so halfway through their lives or before they die. But I think I was born just knowing. Not knowing all of it, but knowing some of it … which has led me to want to know more.”
For more information on the Virtual Schoolhouse and Learning Concept, go to www.virtualschoolhouse.org
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