The Carroll County Virtual Academy has begun its inaugural year with a great turnout.
Gerda Wise, an educator for 39 years in Carroll County Schools, will be the coordinator of the program. Jeff Root, who has also taught in the district for 43 years, will be the teacher. It is only open to sixth through twelfth grade students.
Courses will be facilitated through the use of the online platform Edgenuity.
“We’re looking at each child and determining individually how we will approach their studies,” Wise said. At this point, they have 49 students registered, 10 middle schoolers and 39 high schoolers. They expect that number will rise as the year progresses.
Wise and Root have been working with students during the summer as well, utilizing the tailor-made approach to help one student to earn credits to help move her closer to her sophomore year.
We got her 1 ½ credits, Root said, but it was not easy. The student typically worked on her classes between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. so Root and Wise had to adjust their approach.
They met with the student and parent and explained what she needed to do. “After that, she got in gear,” Wise said. “Part of being a good teacher is to convince kids they can do it.”
The teaching duo know a big part of their job will be developing relationships with the students. “You’ve got to let the kids know you care about them,” Wise said.
Root, who taught the Panther Academy at the middle school last year, said many times students say they don’t care but they truly do. “Sometimes they get down on themselves and it’s easy to say they don’t care, but I want to build their confidence. I want a good community and it starts with our kids.”
CCVA students will be able to participate in all extracurricular activities and sports, but they cannot participate in any activities or classes offered inside the schools during the school day. They will be able to take classes through the Area Technology Center and JCTC, the same as currently offered.