Teacher FAQs

What would a typical week look like for a WAVA instructor?
Our teachers typically work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (as a traditional brick-and-mortar teacher would).

Do teachers cover multiple grade levels?
Our students are assigned to teachers by family so that siblings all work with the same teacher. Because of this, all teachers support K-8 students. Our teachers must be highly qualified in all grade levels as per the No Child Left Behind Act.

Are teachers assigned students in their own geographical area?
Ideally, yes. WAVA hires the best teacher candidates based on qualifications, not area of residence. Families from all around the state can enroll at any time. Because of this dynamic, it is not always possible for a family to be assigned a local teacher. Classes are redistributed in the summertime to account for this.

What is the training process for a WAVA instructor?
While being an online instructor requires many of the same skills as a traditional classroom teacher, many new skills must be acquired. The learning curve is a steep one. New hires participate in a three-day online training course as well as 2-3 full days of face-to-face training with WAVA administration. All teachers attend 1-2 days of professional development each month and participate in weekly online collaboration sessions.

What supports are available to teachers?
New teachers are paired up with a “Buddy Teacher” to help them get started. WAVA also has Lead Teachers who work closely with all teachers. Online resources are available as well.

Where do teachers work?
Teachers work from home.

How often do instructors get together?
WAVA teachers gather monthly in the Tacoma area for professional development sessions and typically plan their outings regionally with other teachers in their area. They communicate and collaborate constantly via e-mail, and phone as well.

How do families and teachers gather face-to-face?
Each teacher plans a monthly outing for their families. Outings are typically a half- or full-day event. WAVA also plans all-school events multiple times throughout the year, which families and teachers attend. Teachers proctor the WASL and DIBELS tests to their students and occasionally will meet individual families at local libraries or coffee shops for instruction, as needed.

What positive outcomes do your hear from WAVA instructors about the job?
WAVA teachers love that they work closely with parents and students who have made education a priority in their home. They enjoy working with individual students on their specific academic needs.

What do teachers find to be challenging?
While learning how to be a successful online teacher, can be invigorating, it can also be challenging, even for the most seasoned teacher. Adjusting to working from a home office may be difficult as well, without having that daily face-to-face interaction with students.

Would it be possible to enroll my own child as a student and be a certified instructor?
Some of our teachers have enrolled their own children in the WAVA program. Many have found that they need additional support for their child from family members, as being a WAVA teacher is definitely a full-time commitment.

Are there part-time opportunities?
At this time, all of our teachers are full time.

How many students are in a teacher’s class?
The ratio for general education teachers is presently 1:60. For special education teachers, the ratio is presently 1:53.

What are the student requirements of the program?
As part of the Washington state public school system, WAVA has monthly progress goals, required attendance time, and regular teacher contact as requirements. For a student to be successful, a home-based learning coach (often a parent), needs to be available to work with the student daily, as well as be in regular contact with the WAVA Washington state-certified teacher.

How is the curriculum assigned to the student?
At the end of the enrollment process, the parent will receive a call from a placement specialist to review the student’s placement test scores in reading and math and discuss which WAVA courses best fit the student’s needs. Our K12 curriculum is very rigorous for students and often runs ahead of what you might find in a typical public school. We are committed to finding the right placement for each student. Each student is different. For instance, a fourth-grade student may place in third-grade reading, but fifth-grade math.

What is the attendance time commitment for a student enrolled in WAVA?
For full time students, Washington requires a minimum attendance of 10 hours per week for kindergarteners, 20 hours per week for first to third grade students, and 25 hours per week for fourth to eight grade students.

What courses are offered through WAVA?
Students in grades 1-8 may take Language, Literature, Math, Science, History, Art, and PE. Kindergarten students have a reduced load that includes Phonics, Language, Math, and Science, only.

Do WAVA students take the WASL?
Yes. Full-time students take the WASL, and WAVA teachers proctor the WASL state wide.

How much does WAVA cost a family?
WAVA's K-8 program is a free public school alternative learning program sponsored through Steilacoom Historical School District #1.

How many teachers are currently employed by WAVA?
The WAVA K-8 program has 42 teachers and serves 2400+ students (as of February 2008).

What is the process to apply for a WAVA teaching position?
Please send a résumé and cover as attachments via e-mail to Tammy Alonzo, K-8 Academic Administrator, at talonzo@K12.com . Please indicate in your cover letter if you are currently under contract and if you are applying for the current school year or next school year. Since all of our teachers are employees of Steilacoom Historical School District #1, you must also complete the online application and mail in all required documents to Pat Jackson-Holley. After the application packet is complete and has been reviewed by the Steilacoom District Office, they will forward it to Ms. Alonzo for review, and potential candidates may be contacted for an interview.

If you have received this information and are actually interested in the WAVA High School program, the process is the same as above. Please e-mail Mark Conley, Academic Administrator, at mconley@K12.com , and visit the Monroe School District website to view postings for high school teacher positions.

What is the hiring timeline for WAVA?
Students can enroll any time during the school year. Hiring is determined solely on need as driven by enrollment, so hiring occurs year-round. Students must re-enroll yearly, and because of this the summertime hiring is slightly more delayed than in a brick-and-mortar school. We typically interview and hire staff during the months of July and August.

How competitive is the hiring process?
Many high quality candidates are interested in expanding their teaching experience to the online realm. During the summer of 2007, WAVA received over 250 applicants. Our teaching staff is amazingly talented, highly motivated and extremely dedicated to providing the best possible education we can for our students.

Is there some way to view the curriculum or get more information in person?
Yes! Please visit the K¹² website to learn about the program WAVA uses to serve its students. There are also videos and family spotlights online where you can learn more about the curriculum and the types of families we work with. You can also view sample online lessons in all subject areas and grade levels by clicking on the “Curriculum and Products” button.

To get more information in person, access our calendar of upcoming school events .