Teachers Remain Central in the World of Online Learning

While the teacher's role shifts when a student takes a course online, it continues to be crucial. Teachers maintain standards and oversee the entire learning process.

In an extensive online learning program, a group of skilled teachers is needed to work closely with students, week in and week out, to build their skills, weave the community of learners together, answer questions, and give professional-grade advice on how to improve performance as the course progresses.

Training and Support

K¹² trains each teacher in the underpinnings of the courses and provides them with rubrics and support "hot lines" that can connect them directly to our curriculum developers, if needed. This means teachers have access to some of the finest curriculum minds in the country, right on up to our Chief Learning Officer, as they work through courses with kids.

The feedback these teaching professionals give about the activities and assignments feeds directly into the K¹² curriculum development group as well, allowing the courses to be improved year-by-year (even month-by-month in some cases). Teachers also share their best practices with other teachers working with the same K¹² courses across the country, providing an unprecedented professional community that can improve virtual teaching practice (as well as the curriculum) year after year.

K-8

Experienced K-8 teachers from K¹²—or your own teachers, who we can train—are assigned to each child and communicate with learning coaches and students on a regular basis through e-mail, telephone, and online meetings. The learning coach (either a teaching assistant or parent) works in conjunction with the teacher to help facilitate progress through the daily lessons and to modify the pace and schedule according to the student's needs. Teachers remain constantly involved to monitor progress, ensure mastery, and develop specific intervention plans when a child is struggling. The teacher and learning coach together manage all facets of the instructional experience. In grades 5–8, the student begins to work more independently, and interacts more often with subject-specific teachers.

High School

K¹² high school courses are taught by teachers specifically experienced in their respective subjects. They grade students' assignments and assessments, respond to student questions via e-mail or phone, conduct online tutorial sessions to reinforce difficult topics, and conduct online "office hours" to allow students to "drop in" with questions. With K¹² or local teachers at the helm, students stay on track.