Teacher Spotlights Archives - ³Ô¹ÏÍø /category/teacher-spotlight/ Online High School Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:18:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cropped-iS_Favicon-32x32.png Teacher Spotlights Archives - ³Ô¹ÏÍø /category/teacher-spotlight/ 32 32 A little bit about Principal Trehal /2020/02/14/clayton-trehal-principal/ /2020/02/14/clayton-trehal-principal/#respond Fri, 14 Feb 2020 08:08:57 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=441233 Clayton Trehal has been a teacher for 16 years, a vice principal for four years and is now with ³Ô¹ÏÍøas the Principal for the past year. Learn more about...

The post A little bit about Principal Trehal appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>

Clayton Trehal has been a teacher for 16 years, a vice principal for four years and is now with ³Ô¹ÏÍøas the Principal for the past year. Learn more about Principal Trehal below!

About Principal Trehal

ÌýPrincipal Trehal is a true Idahoan–he loves the great outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking and walking. Although there is one outdoor activity he doesn’t enjoy:

“I wish I liked running even aÌýquarter as much as I like walking,” said Principal Trehal.

While he loves the great outdoors, PrincipalÌýTrehal also enjoys watching a great movie.

Above all, Principal Trehal’s passion is helping and meeting diverse students.

“Working with our students gives me faith in humanity. You always hear the, ‘Oh, the younger generation is just the worst’ talk, but I doubt that few teachers or folks that actually work with the younger generation believe that,” said Principal Trehal. I’ve been in education for 16 years now, and every year I meet outstanding students of great character and integrity, who work hard to succeed and do what’s right. You realize that lots of young people are great quality people.”

For more tips on excelling in online school, head to this blog post.

Before coming to iSucceed, Principal Trehal was in a traditional, brick-and-mortar high school. Transitioning into the online realmÌýcomes with both its advantages and challenges, as Principal Trehal said.

“The advantages of being a principal of an online school are that we don’t really spend a lot of time dealing with discipline issues and I’m not constantly at a sporting event. So we get to spend more time on students.”

The challenge Principal Trehal faces is helping students stay on track in schoolwork.ÌýTo help, there is something he always tells ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents:

“I always ask students to tell me what would happen in brick and mortar school if they only went to school two days a week, and the predictable answer is that they would fail,” said Principal Trehal. “I tell them that the same thing is true with our school, but that it’s easier to miss school because we are not sitting on the students’ couches telling them to log in.”

Principal Trehal said being an administrator for an online school means he has to personally reach out to many students since he does not physically see them every day. Doing so has helped him get to personally know many ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents.

“It’s been awesome working with online students because there are so many various reasons they are here and it’s amazing to see them juggle school, work, unique circumstances and to do well at all of these,” said Principal Trehal.

For the past 16 years, Principal Trehal has impacted many students’ lives by helping them achieve their goals. But if you ask him, it’s the students who are impacting his life. The most rewarding thing to Principal Trehal is seeing a student succeed.

“There is nothing cooler than reading a well-written essay that you know a student put a lot of work into, or seeing a marginal student turn themselves around, or, best of all to me, writing letters of recommendation for students’ college applications, and then hearing back from them a year or two later,” said Principal Trehal. “To play any role in helping a person move forward toward their goals and to know that you are at least a small part in helping them become the person they are meant to be is really the great reward of choosing teaching as a profession.”

When it comes to sharingÌýadvice, Principal Trehal wants toÌýtake a unique route using a picture:

“This is not a picture of a mini-Pac Man game. It’s a cardboard box for Valentine’s Day cards that my daughter and I put A LOT of work into, and we were proud of the finished result. And isn’t that true about everything in life? You get out what you put in, and giving something your all is always a victory.”

  • Students, do you have an ³Ô¹ÏÍøfaculty member you’d like to give a shoutout to? Share with us in the comments below!

The post A little bit about Principal Trehal appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2020/02/14/clayton-trehal-principal/feed/ 0
Carolee Mordi, ³Ô¹ÏÍøCivics Instructor /2018/07/06/carolee-mordi-spotlight/ /2018/07/06/carolee-mordi-spotlight/#respond Fri, 06 Jul 2018 21:04:04 +0000 /?p=442916 Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight...

The post Carolee Mordi, ³Ô¹ÏÍøCivics Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight blog series.

This month, we bring the story of a long-time, dedicated teacher here at iSucceed. Ms. Carolee Mordi is a Civics and electives instructor who has been with ³Ô¹ÏÍøfor six years. We decided to ask her a few questions, and here’s what she said:

About Ms. Mordi

Carolee MordiWhat courses do you teach?

Civics and Government, Introduction to Fashion Design, Introduction to Interior Design, Child Development, Character Education, Hospitality and Tourism

What are some of your interests or hobbies?

1. Reading
2. Camping
3. Spending time with my family

 

Why do you enjoy teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents?

  1. I love the dedication and drive of our students.
  2. I love seeing kids who have not been successful in a brick and mortar classroom find success in their online classroom.

What are some advantages you enjoy as an online instructor?

  1. ÌýBeing able to focus on a few classes for a short time.
  2. The flexibility that online teaching provides.

Have you had a moment when you felt you made an impact on a student’s life at iSucceed?Ìý

I recently worked with a student one on one who had really struggled with school in general. We discussed his struggles and identified his strengths. I was then able to modify his coursework and work with him to get his first passing grade in 2 years, and it was a B to boot! He really rocked it out and I am excited to work with him again in the future.

Share with us a piece of advice for your ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents:

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers. We are here to help you be successful. Talk to us and we will work with you to help you earn the grade you want!”

The post Carolee Mordi, ³Ô¹ÏÍøCivics Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2018/07/06/carolee-mordi-spotlight/feed/ 0
Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Tara Downs, Study Skills Instructor /2018/05/17/teacher-spotlights-tara-downs/ /2018/05/17/teacher-spotlights-tara-downs/#respond Thu, 17 May 2018 08:48:09 +0000 /?p=442750 Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight...

The post Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Tara Downs, Study Skills Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>

Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight blog series.

This month, we bring the story of a teacher and academic advisor here at iSucceed. Ms. Downs comes to ³Ô¹ÏÍøfrom California.ÌýLearn more about this awesome instructor below.

Ms. Tara Downs, Study Skills teacher

ÌýMs. Downs may be from California, but her love for the great outdoors reflects the heart of any true Idahoan. She enjoys camping, traveling,ÌýCrossFit,Ìýriding horses and spending time with her family. You could probably guess another passion of hers: helping students discover their talents and learn to thrive after high school.

I enjoy teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents because of the diversity. We teach all grade levels and have students from all different walks of life,” said Ms. Downs. “I like that I can teachÌýa 9th grader who is looking for an alternative to a brick and mortar school while also teaching a 20 year old who is working full time while trying to earn their diploma.”

Ms. Downs teaches Study Skills. Getting to teach a more unique subject allows her to teach much-needed, real-life skills.

As an online instructor, Ms. Down’s day-to-day work life looks a little different from the traditional teacher. Just as online students enjoy flexibility, Ms. Downs likes that she can adjust her schedule according to the needs of her students.

“As an online teacher, we have a great deal of flexibility and freedom,” said Ms. Downs. “Our schedule can be adapted to our own personal needs and the needs of students. I like that I have the ability to take time in the week to do activities with my son, but I can also work in the evenings when certain students have the most availability. We aren’t limited to a classroom or the typical school hours.”

Customizing her schedule to student’s needs opens the door to more personalized communication, as Ms. Downs said.

“I think online school can be more beneficial because of the personalization and individual instruction. A student can work at their own pace in a comfortable environment and have frequent communication with their teachers,” said Ms. Downs. “Students have the opportunity to open up and receive personal attention. It also allows for students to work independently and carry the responsibility of completing school themselves.”

When it comes to advice, Ms. Downs goes by one philosophy: Hold yourself to high standards.

My biggest piece of advice is to create a schedule and be accountable for yourself,” said Ms. Downs. “There is a lot of independence in online school, which also places a lot of responsibility on the student. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers and ask for help. We are here for you and our goal is for you to be successful!”

  • Do you have a favorite teacher? Give them a shoutout in the comments below!

The post Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Tara Downs, Study Skills Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2018/05/17/teacher-spotlights-tara-downs/feed/ 0
Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Ashley Feucht, English Instructor /2018/04/09/teacher-spotlights-ashley/ /2018/04/09/teacher-spotlights-ashley/#respond Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:31:32 +0000 /?p=442623 Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight...

The post Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Ashley Feucht, English Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>

Behind every graduate are several dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight blog series.

This month, we bring the story of a new teacher here at iSucceed. Ms. Feucht comes to ³Ô¹ÏÍøfrom Fruitland where she taught middle school. Before that, she was overseas, teaching English as a second language in countries throughoutÌýAsia.

Learn more about this awesome instructor below.

Ms. Ashley Feucht, English teacher, work-based learningÌý

ÌýLike any true Idahoan, Ms. Feucht loves the great outdoors. Any activity outdoors–fishing, four-wheeling, camping, hiking, you name it–Ms. Feucht probably loves it. You could probably guess another passion of hers: teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents.

“I love teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents because they are such a diverse group of students with interesting stories to tell,” said Ms. Feucht.

Ms. Fuecht teaches English courses and work-based learning (you can learn more about that class here). These subjects give her the opportunity to truly learn about her students, as Ms. Feucht stated.

“I’m in the unique position where I teach classes that allow me to learn about my students’ lives,” said Ms. Feucht. “In English, I get to read their personal narratives, in Senior Project and Work-Based Learning, I get to find out about their aspirations and interests. I love teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents because they are such a diverse group of students with interesting stories to tell.”

With work-based learning, Ms. Feucht also gets the opportunity to give students career advice if they ask for it. Because these students are working, it gives them the ability to explore career paths and determine which is best for them, and Ms. Feucht is always there to guide them when needed.

“I had a student who wrote an essay about her graduation plans,” said Ms. Feucht. “She said she wanted to teach, but she was hesitant to take that career path because she also wanted to have the ability to travel. I talked to her about teaching abroad and my own experiences teaching English as a second language. She is now looking into programs to teach abroad and is very excited about the future! I was glad to inspire her to find a way to possibly achieve both of her dreams, and I know she will do a great job!”

When it comes to advice, Ms. Feucht goes by one philosophy: Create your own path.

“You are your greatest advocate,” said Ms. Feucht. “Your parents, your teachers, your friends–they can all encourage you to do well. But ultimately it comes down to you to make it happen and create a bright future for yourself.”

  • Do you have a favorite teacher? Give them a shoutout in the comments below!

The post Teacher Spotlights: Ms. Ashley Feucht, English Instructor appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2018/04/09/teacher-spotlights-ashley/feed/ 0
Teacher Spotlights: Holly Mortimer /2017/02/27/spotlights-holly-mortimer/ /2017/02/27/spotlights-holly-mortimer/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:10:44 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=441184 Behind every graduate is a number of dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this...

The post Teacher Spotlights: Holly Mortimer appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>

Behind every graduate is a number of dedicated teachers. We’re grateful to our ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructors, and that’s why we take a moment to shine the light on them in this Teacher Spotlight blog series.

This month, we are excited to spotlight Mrs. Holly Mortimer, an English instructor who is well liked by our students. Learn more about her with these fun questions below.

Mrs. Holly Mortimer, ³Ô¹ÏÍøEnglish Instructor

1. How many years have you been a teacher?

I taught for 13 years in brick and mortar classrooms, and have been at ³Ô¹ÏÍøsince it opened in 2008.
2. What are some of your hobbies?

Trail running, skiing, reading, cooking, architecture and home design.

3. Why do you enjoy teaching ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents?

ÌýI am impressed by so many of my students who have made the proactive decision to seek out a high school situation that works for them, whether it be because of personal or medical challenges, or outside interests that they are pursuing. I am amazed at how so many of our students juggle multiple commitments–work, family, children, health conditions, education—with grace and discipline. I am proud to be a part of that.
4. What are some benefits you see in online education?

Online education isn’t for everyone at all times, but all of us will have times in our lives when it works for us. Traditional high school works great for some students; online education is there for the rest of us.

5. Have you had a moment when you felt you made an impact on a student’s life at iSucceed?

I had a student who was so committed to his English coursework. He took every opportunity to ask for clarification and input, and he revised all of his projects multiple times. He did this while working full time at a meat packing plant on the night shift

When his mom became ill in Mexico, he had to leave the U.S. to visit her and was concerned that he wouldn’t have enough time to maintain his high grades in his courses. Because our system is flexible, I was able to assure him that he could get caught up when he returned two weeks later. Despite my reassurance, he still walked every other day to an internet cafe to log in and complete some coursework.

When he returned, he sent me a beautiful pottery piece he had brought back; more importantly, he caught right up and earned an A in my senior English course. I was so proud to be part of his success. I know without iSucceed, he would not have been able to graduate from high school.

6. Share with us a piece of advice for your ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents:Ìý

Log in every day and read your messages and announcements. Don’t break the chain of doing that one thing every day at around the same time. Once you are in, it’s easier to get some work done; getting started is the hardest part.

  • Do you have an ³Ô¹ÏÍøteacher you’d like to give a shoutout to? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Teacher Spotlights: Holly Mortimer appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2017/02/27/spotlights-holly-mortimer/feed/ 0
National School Counselor Week Featuring iSucceed’s Guidance Counselor! /2017/02/07/national-school-counselor-week/ /2017/02/07/national-school-counselor-week/#respond Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:18:04 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=441108 Behind every graduated high school student isÌýa number of dedicated teachers and counselors. February 6–10 is National School Counselor Week. To celebrate, we want to spotlight iSucceed’s Guidance Counselor, Crystal...

The post National School Counselor Week Featuring iSucceed’s Guidance Counselor! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>

Behind every graduated high school student isÌýa number of dedicated teachers and counselors.

February 6–10 is National School Counselor Week. To celebrate, we want to spotlight iSucceed’s Guidance Counselor, Crystal Sistoni. Learn more about her below.

Crystal Sistoni, ³Ô¹ÏÍøGuidance Counselor

Ms. Sistoni is an outdoors enthusiast who has been a resident of Idaho for over 20 years, and a teacher at ³Ô¹ÏÍøfor about three years. Some of her hobbies include camping, fishing, backpacking, rafting and being with friends and family.

“I have lived in the Boise area for the last 20 years and fall in love with this city more and more each day,” said Ms. Sistoni. “I am so fortunate to live in an area where I can do so many of my favorite things.”

Ms. Sistoni said that she became a counselor to fulfill her greatest passion—to help others succeed.

“I became a school counselor to help Idaho’s youth through this huge step in their lives,” said Ms. Sistoni. “I have had many of the same struggles that my students have and if I was able to get through this, I want to help others succeed, so they can move on to bigger and better things this life has to offer.”

As the main guidance counselor for iSucceed, Ms. Sistoni connects with each student personally to promote their academic, social and personal development. Her favorite partÌýaboutÌýcounseling ³Ô¹ÏÍøstudents is that she gets to work with unique individuals.

“I like that we have different ways of communication [at iSucceed],” said Ms. Sistoni. “Most people think I can’t develop a relationship with studentsÌýonline, but I have developed some of the best relationships this way. I commend these students for going to school despite challenges that they might deal with on a daily basis. I work with students on all areas of the spectrum, so that makes every day different. Each one of my students is unique and special and I love getting the opportunity to learn about them.”

One of the most rewarding things about being a counselor to Ms. Sistoni is those moments when she empowersÌýstudents graduate who otherwise may not have finished high school, as she recalls in this story:

“There wasÌýa student who was scheduled to graduate this year whoÌýwas Ìýfocusing too much on what was going wrong with inÌýlife and not focusing on school,” said Ms. Sistoni. “We were able to discuss this student’sÌýconcerns and issues and with time and a solid plan, this student ended up graduating. It’s impacting students on this level, the level that will help them move forward in life that I value and cherish the most. The caveat with this student was this was their last shot at graduation because they were going to age out of the public school system, so this was definitely a highlight for this student and myself.”

What Does a Guidance Counselor Do?

The real question is, what can’t Ms. Sistoni do? ÌýAt iSucceed, our counselor works with students individually to map out graduation plans, provide support for academic and personal needs, and help prepare for life after high school, including applying for colleges, interview tips or obtaining financial aid. Whenever students have a need, they can always turn to Ms. Sistoni for help.

How Do I Communicate With Counselors and Staff at iSucceed?

We often hear this question, and we’re proud to say you are likely to receive more personalized support here at ³Ô¹ÏÍøthan at your traditional school. You can learn more about it in this blog.

Because we have one devoted counselor, getting help is simple at iSucceed! Ms. Sistoni’s contact info is accessible straight from the Parent Student Portal (PSP) homepage, the main page students and parents use to log into their classes. Ms. Sistoni and your teachers are all available via phone calls, emails and instant messaging, so that you can get quick responses to your questions.

This week, we hope you take some time to thank the school counselors who have helped you! Send them an email, or even give them a shoutout in the comments below! Either way, we hope you make them feel appreciated.

The post National School Counselor Week Featuring iSucceed’s Guidance Counselor! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2017/02/07/national-school-counselor-week/feed/ 0
Jina Reeves- The Teacher of the Year! /2016/06/13/jina-reeves-teacher-year/ /2016/06/13/jina-reeves-teacher-year/#respond Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:01:39 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=439725 At iSucceed, we have several talentedÌýstudents working hard to earn their diplomas. But as we all know, behind every successful student are countlessÌýteachers helping them along the way. In this...

The post Jina Reeves- The Teacher of the Year! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
iS_Teacher_Spotlight_header_FINAL

At iSucceed, we have several talentedÌýstudents working hard to earn their diplomas. But as we all know, behind every successful student are countlessÌýteachers helping them along the way. In this series, weÌýhighlight one of our many incredible teachers.

Meet Mrs. Jina Reeves, ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructor, Teacher of the Year 2016

Jina ReevesMrs. Reeves has been with ³Ô¹ÏÍøfor two years now, teaching Criminology, Psychology and Sociology. She enjoys what she refers to asÌý“old lady hobbies,” including baking and cross stitching. But Mrs. Reeves has fun with herÌýcross stitching by designing modern shows, such as Bob’s Burgers or Star Wars.

In addition to her hobbies, another thing Mrs. Reeves loves is being a teacher at iSucceed, especially because of the different types of students she gets to meet and help mentor.

Ìý“OurÌýstudentsÌýare all so inspiring that it makes it easy to do whatever necessary to help them succeed,” said Mrs. Reeves. “These students are not only persevering but are wildly succeeding in school in the face of adversity…ÌýI don’tÌýfeel like teaching them is work, it’s a pleasure and an honor.”

One of her favorite things about being an online instructor is the ability she has to provide more personalized support to each of her students.

“I believe that I have stronger connections to iSucceed’s students than I would have otherwise had in a traditional brick and mortar,” said Mrs. Reeves. “You have to make a stronger effort at communication skills and not solely be dependent on physical presence, which can, inÌýturn, offers opportunity to bring teachers and students together.”

In fact, in one instance this past school year, Mrs. Reeves recalls working with one student who was struggling to pass his courses. Although he had gotten far behind, she wouldn’t let him give up on his grades.

The end of this school year, I had a student that was coming in every day for about two weeks and was pretty far behind in his classes because, as he admitted, he didn’t work much inÌýthe middle of the quarter.Ìý I explained how many lessons he needed to do daily to finish his courses. We worked together on two projects and prepping for his final exam in History.Ìý

Then, on the last day of school, I got an email around 8 p.m. from the student saying that he passed all of his classes. He was so excited, the next day, I checked his grades and saw thatÌýhe finished his classes, and he passed with 2 C’s and an A… the A was in History. Ìý🙂

With such dedication from her end, it’s no wonder that Mrs. Reeves was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award, though she told us it was a huge surprise.

Ìý“I was dumbfounded, I think I was blushing for the rest of the day,” said Mrs. Reeves. “I am so very honored and thankful to theÌýstaff, teachers, and (especially) the students.”

When it comes to advice, Mrs. Reeves has just a few words for our students and graduates:

PartyÌýon, Wayne.

The post Jina Reeves- The Teacher of the Year! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2016/06/13/jina-reeves-teacher-year/feed/ 0
Teacher Spotlight: Christina Ferrari /2015/12/14/virtual-high-school-teacher-spotlight/ /2015/12/14/virtual-high-school-teacher-spotlight/#respond Mon, 14 Dec 2015 21:04:34 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=438942 When it comes to students, our teachers at ³Ô¹ÏÍøVirtual High School would travel the world to help you achieve your goals.ÌýLiterally. Well, at least for Ms. Christina Ferrari, that...

The post Teacher Spotlight: Christina Ferrari appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
iS_Teacher_Spotlight_header_FINAL

When it comes to students, our teachers at ³Ô¹ÏÍøVirtual High School would travel the world to help you achieve your goals.ÌýLiterally. Well, at least for Ms. Christina Ferrari, that is!

2015-09-05 16.44.37Ms. Ferrari is an online instructor here at ³Ô¹ÏÍøwho loves writing, reading, gardening and traveling. She is also from Australia where she taught for over 20 years. While she loved her job in Australia, she traveled around the globe to help students achieve their academic goals here at iSucceed.

For the past two years, Ms. Ferrari has taught Speech and other courses at iSucceed. Ms. Ferrari told us that being the Speech and Senior project teacher has helped her gain a special love for our students because of their creativity, diversity and hard-working attitudes.

“Many students (at iSucceed) have struggled in traditional brick and mortar settings, they tell me that they didn’t like school and under achieved. At ³Ô¹ÏÍøI see them thrive; not only do they enjoy learning, they earn good results and this is very rewarding for me as a teacher,” said Ms. Ferrari. “Teaching Speech means that my students deliver video recorded speeches and I learn so much about what bright, diverse and clever people they are. I am so often taken aback by the level of creativity and the interpersonal skills my students have.”

Since she started, Ms. Ferrari has loved her job. To her, the best part of teaching is seeing students find success in their lives.

“Empowering young people through positive and constructive interaction is the most fulfilling thing for me,” said Ms. Ferrari. “When I meet up with my former students and see how successful they are in their careers it is the greatest reward.”

Just last year, Ms. Ferrari reaped that most rewarding part of being a teacher. When she went to her hometown in Australia for a vacation, her former students decided to surprise her with a visit. To her astonishment, these students who had struggled in school were now very successful. Check out the story below:

“I recently travelled back to Australia where I am from for a family visit. When word got out that I was coming, many of my former students arranged to meet up with me. They thanked me for teaching them the skills they needed as they moved on through school and the workplace. One student who was a refugee from Africa… He told me that being in my class helped him learnÌýhow to write essays so well that when he went to college he was one of the few students in his year who did not struggle. He did very well at college and now has an impressive corporate job.ÌýAs a teacher nothing could make me happier than knowing I was able to have a positive impact on the lives of my students.”

ÌýMs. Ferrari is excited to continue working with students at ³Ô¹ÏÍøand one day hopes to see one of you return with your great success story to share with her. When it comes to advice, she has one important thing to tell you: Dream big and don’t give up!

Dare to do as much as you are able, apply yourself and never give up. We should always strive for the best results that we can achieve in everything we do.

  • Do you have a teacher you love here at ³Ô¹ÏÍøVirtual High School? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Teacher Spotlight: Christina Ferrari appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2015/12/14/virtual-high-school-teacher-spotlight/feed/ 0
Teacher Spotlight: Joe Rollins /2015/07/29/teacher-spotlight-joe-rollins/ /2015/07/29/teacher-spotlight-joe-rollins/#respond Wed, 29 Jul 2015 21:34:40 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=437739 At ³Ô¹ÏÍøwe have pretty incredible students who successfully graduate each year. But as we all know, behind every great student is a dedicated teacher, and that’s why we started...

The post Teacher Spotlight: Joe Rollins appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
iS_Teacher_Spotlight_header_FINAL

At ³Ô¹ÏÍøwe have pretty incredible students who successfully graduate each year. But as we all know, behind every great student is a dedicated teacher, and that’s why we started this Teacher Spotlight series so we could bring to light our caring, highly-qualified instructors whose service often goes unnoticed.

Mr. Joe Rollins, history instructor

Joe-Rollins-Staff-Pic

To start our Teacher Spotlight Series, we bring you the inspiring story of one of our long-time instructors, Mr. Joe Rollins. Mr. Rollins is a social studiesÌýinstructor who loves fishing, camping and reading aboutÌýhistory—his favorite subject, as you may have guessed. What you may not have guessed is that Mr. Rollins has gone through some tough times, but he made it through and is now dedicated to helping students do the same.

Mr. Rollins was born in a small town in Tennessee to a big, loving family of three older brothers, a sister and plenty of aunts and uncles. Unfortunately, his mother and sister passed away in a car accident when he was just five years old.

When Mr. Rollins was 16 years old, he had to move out on his own. He stated that it was hard work having to support himself and still get his education.

“When I was 16, I worked two jobs, but I stayed in school and graduated on schedule,” Mr. Rollins said. “I understand how hard it can be for some students. I was there myself.”

After graduating high school, Mr. Rollins said he went into construction for about 20 years until his back prevented him from being able to workÌýany longer, leading him to his dream job as a teacher.

“In 2003, I had spinal surgery,” said Mr. Rollins. “After the surgery, I could not do hard physical work anymore. I had always wanted to be a teacher, so I went back to school and graduated in 2008. My best day ever was the day I was hired to work as a teacher at iSucceed!”

image002Since he started teaching, Mr. Rollins has made a lastingÌýimpression on the lives of many students. You willÌýoften find him at our Pizza and Perks events helping students with schoolwork, as you can see in this photo.

And it’s not just students who attend our events whoÌýreap the benefits of Mr. Rollin’s wisdom. ³Ô¹ÏÍøgraduateÌýNicole GriffithÌýsaid that at her old school, she was extremely shy and felt uncomfortable participating in the classroom, but Mr. Rollins helped herÌýgain the confidence she needed to graduateÌýwith good grades. She even presented the student speech in the 2014 ceremony! Check out this exerpt from her speechÌýbelow.

“Mr. Rollins, you know something about me that no one would believe now. I’m shy…(but) you were the first teacher I was able to ask a question. After you were so helpful and encouraging, I could ask another and then another. Thank you so much for helping me find my voice and courage to be a leader”
– Nicole Griffith, 2014 graduate and student of the year

When it comes to advice, Mr. Rollins wants to tell you just one thing: Don’t give up on your education.

“If I could tell every teen in the world something, I would tell them that it is never too late to get an education. If I had gone to college right out of high school, I would have had so much more success. Learn to work with your mind and not with your back. Never give in or give up. Work hard to be the best you can be! It will pay off for the rest of your life!”
– Joe Rollins, ³Ô¹ÏÍøinstructor

  • Do you have an ³Ô¹ÏÍøteacher or staff member you’d like us to spotlight? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Teacher Spotlight: Joe Rollins appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2015/07/29/teacher-spotlight-joe-rollins/feed/ 0
Meet Katie Allison: Your New Principal! /2015/07/08/meet-your-new-principal/ /2015/07/08/meet-your-new-principal/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2015 16:27:12 +0000 //isucceedvhs.net/?p=437503 Over the summer, ³Ô¹ÏÍøVirtual High School got a new principal! For many of you here at iSucceed, it’s someone you’ve come to know and love, so we thought we’d...

The post Meet Katie Allison: Your New Principal! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
Isucceed_desk_desk_header_FINAL

Over the summer, ³Ô¹ÏÍøVirtual High School got a new principal! For many of you here at iSucceed, it’s someone you’ve come to know and love, so we thought we’d let you learn a little more about the life of iSucceed’s new principal.

Mrs. Katie Allison, head of school

Katie-Allison-Staff-Pic

Mrs. Allison has been with ³Ô¹ÏÍøsince its opening in 2008, and since has helped many students excel in their learning. When she is not teaching,ÌýMrs. Allison enjoys spending time with her family and—like a true Idohoan—loves being outdoors. In the picture below, you can see Mrs. Allison conquering the famous Sawtooth Wilderness hike.

KatieStanleyTrail

Although she has served many roles since receiving her education in 1997, Mrs. Allison told us she is particularly excited for her new role at iSucceed.

“Through the years, I’ve seen several sets of students go through all four years with us, and I’ve been inspired by their motivation and tenacity,” said Mrs. Allison. “I’ve also come to know the ³Ô¹ÏÍøteachers and staff and they are some of the finest I’ve ever worked with. In fact, when I was asked to become head of school for iSucceed, my main reasons for accepting included the students and the people I would be working with.”

As the new principal, Mrs. Allison said she has some great plans to continue engagement in student’s learning, including online lab time for students to get more one-on-one time with teachers for more personal support, and implementing a 24 hour response turnaround on school days so that you will be able to communicate with your teachers even more than before.

When it comes to advice, Mrs. Allison wants to tell you students an important thing for acheiving success at iSucceed: Never be afraid toÌýreach outÌýto your teachers.

“If students are willing to communicate with their teachers…they will find that ourÌýteachers often go the extra mile to help them, and are there for them when they want to learn. Our teachers even added extra online lab hours to reach out to you; they are that dedicated!”
–Katie Allison, head of school

  • Do you have a great experience with Mrs. Allison you’d like to tell us? Share your storyÌýin the comments below!

The post Meet Katie Allison: Your New Principal! appeared first on ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

]]>
/2015/07/08/meet-your-new-principal/feed/ 3