Promising Practices 2024

Amanda O'Brien is currently the Lead Mentor Teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy coordinating all onboarding and mentoring efforts. She began teaching in 2009 in the brick-and-mortar setting and joined NCVA in 2015 when it opened. At NCVA she has been a Family Academic Support Liaison, a HS Social Studies Teacher, and was the 2018 K12 Teacher of the Year for Peer Leadership and Mentorship. Amanda believes that supporting new teachers is a critical component of a school’s success. Amanda is also a wife, mom, and active member of her church family. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, serving others, and listening to great podcasts.

Amy Eward is Senior Manager of Game-Based Learning on Stride's Teaching and Learning team. In her over 15 years at Stride, she’s held various curriculum-development roles, working on everything from phonics to physics. Her favorite game is Scrabble, but she plays a lot of Magic the Gathering with her son. Amy has a Master’s degree in Writing from Johns Hopkins and a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Penn State. Amy lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two children, and two backyard chickens.

Kristen Schuh Tyagi is the Executive Director of the National Coalition for Public School Options (PSO), a national alliance of parents that supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children.

In her previous role with PSO, Kristen served as Communications Director where she led the development of communications strategies to help advance PSO’s mission, including through advertising, social media and media outreach.

Prior to joining PSO, Kristen spent more than a decade in public affairs, serving as director of public affairs at Purple Strategies and as associate vice president of strategic communications at DDC Public Affairs. In both positions, Kristen led the development and execution of award-winning communications and advocacy campaigns on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, national trade organizations and non-profits.

Kristen is a native of Ohio and earned her BA in political science from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. She currently resides in Arlington, VA with her husband and young daughter. In her free time, Kristen enjoys taking fitness classes, cooking and hiking with her two rescue dogs.

Dr. Ashleigh Franco is a curriculum research specialist with Stride who is driven by the desire to see equitable education and opportunities. She has a wealth of experience working in public and public charter schools, teaching kindergarten, first grade, and literacy intervention; coaching and instructing teachers; and designing professional development and graduate courses for teachers. Dr. Franco’s research-specific experience entails conducting and presenting qualitative research nationally and internationally as well as extensive literature reviews and analytic curricular-focused research about best practices in K–12 education and online learning.

Belinda is currently the English Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in a brick-and-mortar setting teaching upper-level English. After 15 years, she joined K12 and has held both instructor and coaching positions here since, becoming the Content Specialist in 2019. Beyond the obvious English teacher things, Belinda is passionate about inclusion and respecting diversity. Belinda is an empty-nester and mother of three, currently living with her fiancé in Wallingford, CT.

Brandi Workman is an educator at a virtual school in South Carolina. Known for her dynamic and student-centered methods, Brandi is committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that inspires curiosity and critical thinking. Brandi currently serves a lead teacher in the Career and Technical Education department at her school. Brandi is an advisor for Student Council. She lives in Columbia, SC with her husband and three children.

Brittany is a Professional Learning Manager in Digital Learning and Instructional Technology at Learning A-Z. With over a decade of experience in education, she is passionate about championing equitable learning opportunities for ALL. She has served at KIPP Schools and K12/Stride Online Schools, and earned a Master's in Online Education. Brittany advocates for universal access to quality education, recognizing it as a fundamental right. She believes that education can transform lives and empower learners to make a positive impact in their communities. Brittany resides in Tallahassee with her husband, daughter, and two furry friends.

Bryan is currently an 8th grade Math teacher at Mighigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. He began his career teaching in a brick and mortar setting, and after 5 years transitioned into the expert virtual educator he is today. Bryan is passionate about building real student relationships, and that the best relationships with students are authentic and not forced. He currently lives in Grand Rapids Michigan (GO BLUE!) with his wife and two daughters.

Candace Grant is currently a special educator at Colorado Preparatory Academy Middle School. She has over 20 years’ experience as a special educator and team teacher in inclusion classes, such as math, English, science and social studies. Candace loves it when her students grasp difficult concepts and improve their self-confidence as learners.

Casey is entering into her 16th year of education. She has had the pleasure of being part of the Stride team for 11 years. She has a BS from University of Arizona in Elementary Education, a M. Ed from Grand Canyon University in Curriculum and Instruction, a M. Ed from Northern Arizona University in Leadership- Principal Certification and an Ed. S in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership. She taught middle school English for AZVA, an instructional coach for the central region, site-based teacher trainer/admin team at Texas- eSchool Prep, a PBL specialist, a Leader Trainer, and currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator. She enjoys helping people find their inspiration to be the best version of themselves in the online environment.

Cassandra is the Founder and CEO of Supplemental Education, a virtual tutoring and parent support company. She was inspired to begin a teaching career after studying abroad in South Africa. From her first year teaching sixth grade reading educator to now, Cassandra has worked as a literacy coach, education consultant, and teaching fellowship Director over the past fourteen years Cassandra is passionate about empowering parents to unlock learning at home and access resources that guarantee school success. She currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her preschool-aged son, Josiah.

Chelsea is currently a Middle School Counselor for Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA). She began her career in education as a paraprofessional for 2 years while she completed her masters and began her school counseling career in 2010 in the brick-and-mortar setting. Throughout her counseling career, she has been a school counselor for all K-12 grade levels and this year is her second year as a middle school counselor for IDVA. Chelsea is passionate about teaming with students, families, and staff to help support all students in their academic, personal, and career goals and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her friends and family. She currently lives in Idaho with her husband, two children, and three dogs.

Chrishele is currently a High School Instructional Coach at TOPS supporting math and science teachers. She began her career as a classroom teacher and taught a variety of courses and levels in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas before transitioning into an instructional coach in a brick and mortar setting in 2016. Chrishele focuses her time and talents to cultivate reflective educators, fervently works to eliminate the "math is too hard" stigma, and leverages the power of vertical alignment to support at-risk students. She currently lives in Friendswood, Texas with her whacky chemical engineer husband, an energetic and sassy two year old daughter, a creative and inquisitive four year old, and 5 kitties.

Christina is a School Counselor for K12 schools. She began her career as a Social Worker, serving children and families in California, and later transitioned to school counseling in 2014. Over the past 10 years, Christina held many roles including mental health counselor, intervention specialist, The Parent Project facilitator, Crisis Prevention and Intervention facilitator, testing coordinator, and education consultant for MTSS. Christina is passionate about equity and strives to support all educators in developing systems to improve outcomes for all students (i.e. academic and social-emotional). She currently lives in Indiana with her husband and four children.

Dawn is the founder of and senior consultant at Dawn Foreman Consulting. She began her career as a teacher, then transitioned into several different roles including performance evaluation program specialist, assistant principal, principal for 14 years with Alexandria City Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools, and, most recently, partnership director with Turnaround for Children for six years. Dawn is passionate about sharing the science of learning and development to leverage education transformation and enjoys painting and singing Karaoke. She currently lives in northern Virginia with her husband, and after 20 years, Dawn has returned to the classroom, teaching 4th grade with Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.

Donecia is currently an Instruction Coach for K-5 teachers at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. She began her career teaching in the brick and mortar setting. She transitioned into virtual education 4 years ago where she has served as a 4th grade math teacher, math interventionist, and testing site coordinator. Donecia is passionate about serving and supporting teachers, students and people in all capacities and she enjoys all things beauty and skincare. She currently lives in Monroe, LA with her husband Richard and 4 children.

Dr. Feyi Obamehinti is currently one of the EB Program Managers for Texas Shared Services (TVAH). She began her teaching career as a homeschool mom of 3 daughters for 11 years. After which she started in public education as a middle school science teacher in 1996. She has served teaching not just science but Math, Biology, ESOL, and Social Studies. After leaving the classroom, she served as an administrator in various capacities - campus, district, and regional. She is passionate about advocacy and has served in many local, state, and national entities advocating for educators, families, and communities. She currently lives in the DFW area in Texas with her husband and they are blessed with adult daughters.

Elaine is currently a full-time Science instructor with Stride /K12; She is certified in Special Education and Elementary Education in CO, NE, WA, OR, and MI. She has worked for the company for over 10 years as an instructor and part of the Academic Support Team. Elaine loves to read and take care of her animals. She also writes grants for various non-profits. Elaine lives in rural Colorado. She has three children, seven grandchildren, and a variety of animals.

Eric is currently a Teacher with Learning Solutions, teaching high school mathematics. He began his career in higher education in the field of educational computing and instructional design. After 25 years, he transitioned to K-12 education, seeing a need for great math teachers. Eric is passionate about guiding young people in becoming the best they can be. Outside of formal education, he is very active in Scouting as a leader, mentor, and teacher. He is a writer, a camping chef, former swimming coach and competitive swimmer and a wood carver. He currently lives in the greater Denver area where he enjoys all that the mountains provide.

Erika is currently the World Language Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career teaching in the brick- and-mortar setting 14 years ago and has spent the last 10 years in the online environment in various roles including live instructor, master teacher, and content coach. Erika is passionate about making students and teachers lifelong learners. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.​

Erika Saeb brings her expertise to Texas Virtual at Hallsville Middle School as a science teacher, backed by five years of teaching experience and an ongoing pursuit of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Alongside her passion for sharing practical insights from her classroom, she adds a touch of creativity to her life with interests in writing and pencil drawing. Nestled in Orlando, FL, Erika shares her home with her husband and a cherished furry companion.

Erin Talbert has been teaching for 11 years, the last 5 of which have been virtual.  She is the Social Studies Department Chair and Lead Mentor in the high school of NC Virtual Academy.  She has two bachelor degrees from Pfeiffer University and recently obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Southern New Hampshire University.  She has a passion for mentoring others and creating professional developments to grow in the virtual community.

In her personal life, Erin has been married to her wonderful husband, Alan, for 12 years.  They share two children, Jude who is 10, and Andi who is 7.  The family spends time together on their farm in North Carolina where they raise black  angus cattle.

Heather is currently the 3rd - 5th grade Principal at Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy. She began her career teaching third and fourth grade in brick-and-mortar and transitioned to OVCA where she has served as a Middle School Teacher, Lead Teacher, Data & Accountability Manager, K12 Regional Data Manager, and Instructional Administrator. Heather's passion is to champion others to reach their full potential, and when she's not working, she can be found on her local running trail. She was born, raised, and still resides in Oklahoma with her daughter and Golden Retriever.

Iman is a Learning Development Specialist on Stride's Talent Development team. She draws on more than a decade of diverse experiences in teaching and administrative roles, across traditional and online settings, to create dynamic professional development training for educators. Iman is passionate about exploring how new technologies can transform learning and is currently focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. She most recently co-authored a series of AI training newsletters for schools and a comprehensive AI curriculum for educators. Iman lives in Dallas, TX with her family.

Jackie is celebrating her fifth year as geometry teacher with Indiana Digital Learning School. She has taught in a variety of settings from elementary to post-secondary for over twenty years and has enjoyed her prior experiences as a project-based learning facilitator and workshop creator, math interventionist, instructional coach, and department chair. Jackie loves creating equitable environments for students, engaging students in processes and discourse, and offering opportunities for students to personalize their learning through the UDL framework. In her spare time, Jackie likes to try new hobbies like traveling, running, painting, or playing the guitar. She currently lives in Columbus, Indiana with her husband, her two youngest (of six) children, her two dogs, and her cat, Luna Moon.

Janae is currently a Learning Analyst within the Stride Teaching & Learning team. She has worked in higher education, online teaching, CTE administration and Stride product training. Janae aims to continually offer educators and administrators innovative solutions, and in her downtime loves life on the road chasing her kids' sports. Janae hails from the least-populated county in the least-populated state where she has a working cattle ranch with her husband and three children.

Janessa is currently an Academic Support Administrator at TOPS High School in Texas. She began her teaching career by teaching high school science for 11 years and then moved into administration for another 5 years. She has been with Stride for the past 2 years as a Physics teacher and now supporting struggling students in an administrative role. Janessa's passion is breaking down barriers to students' success in the classroom. When she is not educating students in a classroom setting, she works with local livestock families helping them show their animal projects at their local fair. She currently lives in Texas with her 2 teenage sons, husband and a myriad of dogs and livestock.

Jan Esmay is a veteran teacher with over 30 years’ experience.   She spent her first 30 years of teaching in a traditional classroom, beginning her career in special education working with students of various behavioral and emotional needs.  She then transitioned to the middle school where she loved teaching science, English, and literature for 12 years.   After earning National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Science, she moved to the high school and taught allied health biology and was the HOSA advisor for a decade.  Upon retiring from the traditional classroom, Jan started teaching with STRIDE K12 where she spent 2 years teaching 6-8th grade sciences, biology, health careers and medical terminology.  She is now the Science Content Specialist for Learning Solutions.

Jen is a veteran teacher with 14 years teaching secondary math online and 3 years B&M. Her experience with co-teaching ranges from one teach, one assist model to team-teaching, with special education teachers, English Language Learner (ELL) teachers and math teachers. Jen loves supporting students with grasping mathematical concepts. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting and walking the dog. Jen and her husband live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Jenna Nord is currently a High School Math Teacher for Stride at Indiana Digital Learning School, and has been in her role as a virtual teacher for three years. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting at a small Christian school in Indianapolis, then jumped to a small rural school in Putnam County. She has experience teaching every level of education with a focus in mathematics and Spanish. Currently, she is finishing up her work in administration, and earning her second master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Jenna strives to support her coworkers and the students in her class, and enjoys time with her kids and baking. She is a fan of Disney, which inspired her dog's name. She currently lives in the Indianapolis area with her two beautiful children, husband, and dog Nala.

Joel Medley is the Director of the Stride Professional Development Center.  His experience to coach educators through leadership development has extended from traditional school settings to charter schools and even online education.

John is currently a General Education US History Teacher at the Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) and has “worn many hats” throughout his 40 year long educational career.  He  has been an adult education teacher, an education technology specialist, a career and vocational educator, and served for more than 15 years as a brick-and-mortar Social Studies teacher at both the high school and community college levels.   John is passionate about educational technology and virtual instruction and has recently developed an intense interest in the use of generative AI technology for the creation and delivery of differentiated lessons. When he's not thinking about teaching, he loves to play retro video games! John is a native Texan and has an adult daughter.

Kafarra Q. L. Burden joined stride in 2019 and is currently serving as a Dyslexia Teacher. Kafarra earned a B.A. in Theatre Education, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and went on to earn a second M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs, each from the University of North Texas. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, and she is passionate about equity, innovation, technology integration, online learning, and providing a quality educational learning experience for all students. Kafarra has experience as a Theatre Arts Teacher, Dyslexia Teacher, 504/Dyslexia Specialist, and a Special Programs Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, writing, DIY crafting, cooking, and trying new food. She currently lives in Texas, with her husband and their three sons.

Katrina is a National Board Certified teacher  who also has a Masters in Instructional Technology. She is currently a Lead teacher at Cyber Academy of SC.

Katy is a Training Services Manager for Stride. She began her career teaching science and transitioned into various leadership roles as a science subject matter expert and manager with Stride, eventually turning her focus to adult learning and development. Katy is passionate about ensuring quality training and professional development to support all educators in their mission to provide the best learning experience for students. She currently lives in the Seattle area with her family.

Dr. Kevin Winslow grew up in Los Angeles and taught Middle School mathematics courses there and in Springfield, Virginia before teaching at the college level. He earned his BA in Intercultural Studies from Biola University, his MEd in Secondary Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, and his PhD in Mathematics Instructional Methodology with an emphasis in Instructional Technology also from George Mason. He currently serves as a Professor of Education at Lindenwood University in the St Louis area where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Technology, and Statistics and Quantitative Methods of Research.

Kim is a Special Education teacher at WIVA K12. She began her career at a brick-and-mortar school, and this is year 2.5 for her with K12. Kim is passionate about creating opportunities for all students to have access to learn and succeed in school. Kim co-teachers with a 9th-grade English teacher and their guiding philosophy is high expectations and high levels of support are key elements to student success. Kim lives in Appleton Wisconsin with her family of 6, plus her two boxer dogs.

Kimberly is currently a Portfolio Academic Administrator for K12 schools of Texas and Tennessee. She began her career teaching in the brick-and-mortar setting, and in 3 years, she transitioned into many different roles including online elementary teacher and talent development specialist. Kimberly is passionate about educational innovation and strives to support all teachers, admin, and schools and enjoys snowboarding, games, and adventures. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two children, and three dogs.

Kory Taylor, M.Ed, is a reading interventionist with Arkansas Virtual Academy Middle School. This is her fifth year with Stride and her eighth as a teacher. Her professional goal is to help every student and teacher succeed in the future of their choice. Kory has worked to develop systems within her schools that allow for better data discussions, collaboration among peers, and reduction of teacher fatigue. Her personal goal is to spend as much time as she can reading, crafting, and snuggling with her dogs, Dolly and Willie.

Kristen is currently a Curriculum and Instructional Specialist for Stride's Teaching and Learning Team. She began teaching Math and Science in a brick-and-mortar setting for 6 years before transitioning to one of K12's virtual schools in 2013. There, she taught Algebra and was the math department head for 5 years. After leaving the classroom in 2018, she worked as an Instructional Coach and Teacher Trainer for 4 years until transitioning to her current role in February of 2023. Kristen is passionate about working with teachers to support them in any way possible. When not focused on work, she enjoys time with her family and nephews. During the summer, you'll find her in the garden!

Laura currently serves as an ELL Program Manager for Texas Shared Services. She has held various leadership positions at the campus and district level, including School Principal, Director of Federal Programs, and Executive Director of Elementary Schools. Laura is dedicated to improving the education experience for students learning a second language and enjoys traveling to new places and having exposure to other cultures. She currently lives in the New Orleans area.

Lily Jones is the founder of Educator Forever, where she empowers teachers to expand their impact beyond the classroom, and Educator Forever Agency, where she works with a team of educators to create inspiring curricula.  Holding an MA in Education from UC Berkeley, Lily spent seven inspiring and exhausting years as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, then left the classroom to work as a curriculum designer, instructional coach, and education consultant. In everything she does, Lily hopes to support kids to love learning and teachers to love teaching.

Loretta is a high school counselor at Idaho Virtual Academy. She began her journey as a college and career coordinator for the GEAR UP program in a brick-and-mortar school.  She went on to complete her master's in school counseling and has been at IDVA for 5 years. Loretta loves collaborating with colleagues to create impactful opportunities for their students. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, horseback riding and diving into a good book. She lives in Idaho with her husband.

Marisa is currently a High School Geometry Teacher at Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy. She spent 13 years in the brick-and-mortar classroom, teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Engineering courses. Marisa is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys lifting weights and going on walks as often as possible. She also loves reading sci-fi and fantasy novels. She resides in Shreveport, Louisiana with her husband and two children.

Mike Dardaris is a versatile professional who has made a significant impact in the field of education. Currently serving as the Head of Education Business Development at Tallo, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Mike's journey in education began as an instrumental music teacher at Fabius-Pompey Central School District. Over the years, he has held various roles, including that of building principal. One of his most notable achievements was as the founding principal of HFM P-tech, where he spearheaded the establishment of an award-winning public high school. This institution was dedicated to providing "at-risk" students with the unique opportunity to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an AAS Associates college degree. Mike's dedication and leadership at P-tech earned him recognition as the 2018 New York State High School Principal of the Year. Under his guidance, HFM PTECH received accolades as one of the "Top 25 Most Innovative Schools in America" by the Successful Practices Network in 2018, and it was designated a "Model School" by the International Center for Leadership in 2016. In addition to his educational endeavors, Mike is a passionate drummer and percussionist. A graduate of the Crane School of Music, he currently dedicates his musical talents to Nashville recording artist Ryan Jewel. When he's not working with school districts to help students explore and connect to career and college opportunities, you can often find Mike on stage, supporting Ryan Jewel's newest album release. He continues to contribute to both education and the world of music, embodying the idea that one can excel in multiple domains and follow their passions with unwavering dedication. Mike currently lives in West Virginia with his wife, Stephanie, and his three college age children.

Michelle is currently a high school credit recovery math teacher at Ohio Virtual Academy. She began her career in 2005 teaching in a small county school and transitioned to a part-time college instructor before starting her new online teaching career in 2012 at Ohio Virtual Academy. Michelle loves to play guitar and performed in her first student recital back in October. She is a group fitness instructor at the local YMCA teaching spin/cycling classes and will be offering additional group fitness classes at another gym in town as well soon. She currently lives in Findlay with her husband Jeremy and her 1 1/2-year-old australian shepherd Cisco.

Monet Baker is an educator, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist with over 17 years experience in the field of education. Driven by her desire to see all students succeed, she takes pride in providing the best possible instructional support, curriculum and coaching to educators. As a curriculum and instructional specialist on the Stride Innovation team, she strives to provide innovative curriculum solutions that are personalized, engaging and sparks inspiration for students. She holds an M.A., Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix as well as a National Board Teaching Certification and is currently working on her EDs in Curriculum and Instruction. Monet currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband and son.

Monica holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizations and is currently a Custom Curriculum Manager at Stride. She has over 15 years of teaching experience and an earned certificate in UX Design. Monica is passionate about improving the education experience for all students. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.

Nancy is currently a middle school science teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy. She began her career in education as a secondary science teacher over a decade ago in the brick-and-mortar setting and continues to be amazed by her students each day. Nancy enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy as well as catching the latest episodes of Doctor Who or Star Trek. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.

Natalee has her Early Childhood Education degree with Special Education P-12 and Special Education content 6-8. She has been in the virtual education world for 10 years. Natalee spent most of her time in the Special Education world which is where her passion lies. She enjoy having the opportunity to make educational not only available for all students, but finding a way for all students to be able to enjoy their education.

Pam Sieger is a Portfolio Academic Administrator for schools in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas. Previously, she was a Gifted teacher/coordinator at NMDCA in New Mexico for students in grades K-12 and a middle school English/ALP teacher for 9 years at a cyber charter school in Pennsylvania. Pam has a special interest and endorsement/certification in Gifted Education, and in Youth Mental Health Awareness. Pam works with Gifted/Advanced leaders and programming at K12 across the country advocating for students to reach their academic, social, and emotional needs and goals. Pam has a master's degree in Gifted Education from Millersville University, a master's degree in English Education from Edinboro University, and a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education English from Penn State University. She is a Khan Academy Ambassador, a Habits of Mind certified Practitioner, and a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified Instructor. Pam also serves on the Awards Committee for the NAGC: National Association for Gifted Children.

Pam is currently a Math Content Specialist for Stride. She began her teaching career in 2014 in the brick-and-mortar setting, and transitioned to working for Stride in 2019, where she has dabbled in many different roles including math teacher, electives content coach, and math content specialist. Pam is passionate about mathematics education and strives to support all teachers and students in Stride. She also enjoys hiking, reading, drinking coffee, and spending time with the family. She currently lives in Wadsworth, OH with her husband, two boys, and three cats.

Rachel teaches Summit English 9 for Wisconsin Virtual Academy. After 1 year of teaching in a brick-and-mortar setting, she began her tenure at WIVA. This is her fourth year teaching virtually. In her class, Rachel seeks to help her students grow as thinkers, communicators, and individuals as they explore the human experience together. She lives in Beaver Dam, WI with her husband and a scrappy little mutt named Dobby.

Raquel Reynolds is a dedicated mom and military spouse who has a passion for teaching mathematics. In 2017, she enrolled her children in Arizona Virtual Academy and was impressed by the benefits of online schooling. This experience motivated her to pursue a career with Stride K12. After earning her Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Northern Arizona University, Raquel became an in-person math tutor and advisor for Colorado Preparatory Academy. She later became a 6th-grade Math teacher at CPA before transitioning to a high school Math teacher at AZVA. Raquel is a strong advocate of YouCubed.org research and practices and believes that Math class should focus on learning rather than just performing. She actively encourages her students to try again and never give up on learning.

Dr. Ronda K. Cypret-Mahach is an accomplished educator and instructional leader dedicated to excellence in education. With an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University, she brings a wealth of experience in K-12 education. Dr. Cypret-Mahach has conducted impactful research on teacher candidates' perceptions of virtual teaching and learning, led innovative course designs, and investigated the educational implications of COVID-19. Currently serving as the Department Head for Initial Teacher Education at the university, she spearheads initiatives for the development of future teachers. Her contributions include presentations, publications, and active participation in university service committees.

Roxanne is currently a Professor of Education at Hiram College and has served teacher education for 23 years. Prior to entering the teacher education world, Roxanne taught first grade and sixth grade (Language Arts) for 7 years in a rural public school district and has also served as a tutor and freelance curriculum writer. She loves gardening (flowers, vegetables, whatever!) and quilting. Roxanne, her husband and their now grown children are avid campers and hikers with the goal of camping in all 50 states.

Sabina Dallmeyer is currently working as a Math Interventionist with K12 where her students say she is a ‘safe space to struggle with math.’ She has enjoyed working in traditional classrooms with English Language Learners, struggling rural Algebra students, and virtual learners who wrestle with math anxiety. She has been known to turn a dinner conversation into a fractions lesson and is the most compassionate math teacher you will ever meet. Sabina lives to help people use their “toaster-strudel brain” to do math intuitively and live a life of passionate curiosity. This mom of 5 is currently working on a second master’s degree in Virtual Learning and probably reads too much peer-reviewed research, but it sure makes the kids fall asleep fast.

Sara is currently the Social Studies Content Specialist for Learning Solutions. She began her career in the brick-and-mortar setting 23 years ago and has spent the last 13 years in the online world as a Social Studies and ELA teacher, master teacher, and instructional coach. Sara is passionate about teacher leadership and collaboration and her mission is to support teachers' professional development, adaptability, and growth mindset. She resides in suburban Chicago with her family.

Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Curriculum & Instruction for Career & College Readiness Education at K12. Over her 17 years in education, she has served as a classroom, intervention, and ESOL teacher as well as a literacy specialist and PBL support specialist. Sarah is passionate about equity in education and believes that all students deserve access high-quality, engaging learning experiences throughout their academic career. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing games with her family and friends.

Sherita Wells is an Academic Support Team Teacher.  She has a B.S. in Education with two certifications, Early Childhood Education (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6). She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Certification in Instructional/Educational Leadership(K-12). Sherita began her teaching career in brick-and-mortar setting; after 6 years, she transitioned to the virtual setting. She is passionate about curriculum and teaching, strives to support all teachers and students, and enjoys reading.

Tara is a graduate student at Western Governor's University pursuing her M.ED in Education Technologies & Instructional Design. In her former roles as Elementary and Secondary Art Teacher, she is distinguished in virtual instruction. Tara is passionate about creating enduring connections and strives to inspire teachers and staff through eLearning experiences. Tara was born in Philadelphia, PA and currently lives with her spouse and two children in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tara is the Founder and CEO of Houston Consulting Group & Associates, LLC. She began her career teaching high school English; and in 4 years, she transitioned to many different roles including Special Education Coordinator, middle school assistant principal, college professor, and educational consultant. Tara is dedicated to advocating for the voiceless in academic settings, working to counteract bias and mitigate its adverse effects on historically marginalized communities in education. She currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with her husband, Michael, their four sons, and their miniature schnauzer.

Vicki Fritz is a Coordinator of Gifted Education for Florida Cyber Charter Academy.  Previously, she spent 10 years teaching Gifted students in Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida.  She also was a technology integration coach in a one to one laptop initiative for elementary and middle school students.

Vicki has a Bachelors' degree in elementary and middle school education.  A Master's Degree in Gifted Education and Technology Integration.  She has an interest in student choice and strives to include student driven educational practices in the classroom.

Will Plump's pursuit of a life in education began with teaching elementary special ed in the Philadelphia suburbs. With a Masters degree in Special Education and several years of classroom experience, he branched out into the world of edtech after seeing the positive impact new technology can have on student achievement. Since joining Stride 3 years ago, Will has worked closely with the K-5 curriculum team to update elementary course content. He is currently managing Stride's Learning Innovation team. Will loves the opportunity to provide students with groundbreaking, engaging, and effective learning content in new ways!

Yaw Owusu-Akyaw is a Stride, K12 Special Education Teacher for the Indiana Digital Learning School. He has worked in the field of education for over nine years. Yaw began his career as a Middle School teacher in the brick-and-mortar school setting. He has been a Lead Preschool Teacher, a Learning Center Instructor, and a K12 Master Teacher. Yaw is passionate about using Gamification concepts to evoke students' learning potential. He enjoys playing video games, watching Anime, cycling, traveling, and making YouTube videos.

Yolanda is currently an educator of English for High School Seniors. She has spent the last 13 years working in the virtual school environment transitionally from an educator to Director of Professional Development. Her roles included curriculum development, LMS development, Instructional Design, Organizational Structure, Accountability Tracking & Reporting, among several other roles. Yolanda is passionate about life experiences that are meaningful and adventurous in all aspects of her life. She is a a future thinker with organization and planning always on her mind for life and for career. She currently resides in Oklahoma with "fernweh" in her heart, so she travels extensively when the opportunity arrives.