Teaching is an incredibly rewarding - and, at times, incredibly challenging – vocation. But, the types of K-12 challenges and rewards you face as a virtual charter school teacher often differ from the challenges and rewards of teaching in a physical classroom. This is particularly true when it comes to things like student engagement, use of technology, and lesson flexibility. 

So, what is life as a virtual teacher really like? We’re exploring the various rewards and challenges of online teaching, as well as the many ways that cyber teaching overlaps with more traditional educational environments. 

What Is It Like to Teach K-12 Virtually?

Before we get into virtual teaching challenges and rewards, let’s consider what this type of teaching entails. 

There are a lot of similarities between teaching online and teaching in-person. This includes things like:

• Curriculum planning
• Ongoing professional development requirements
• Strong focus on student engagement
• Dedication to student growth
• Grading student work and facilitating state assessments
• Collaborating with other teachers and administrative staff

Where things start to differ are in the educational models themselves, plus the tools used for teaching. At PA Distance Learning, for example, we rely on a hybrid educational model that blends synchronous and asynchronous learning for the benefit of our students. Teachers oversee lessons and the day-to-day classroom structure, but students are given a lot of flexibility to work and learn at their own pace. 

For a lot of teachers, this model is a welcome change from the more rigid framework of brick-and-mortar K-12 education. And while it certainly does create some unique challenges, a high-quality virtual charter program is designed to address these challenges head-on, providing teachers with the support they need to thrive – and to help their students thrive, too. 

Challenges of Online Teaching

Figuring out how to succeed at teaching virtually is a skill like any other. Fortunately, virtual charter programs offer a lot of guidance for teachers so they can meet their students’ needs day in and day out. 

One of the biggest k-12 Challenges of teaching virtually is keeping students engaged and on track. Because students are given a lot more autonomy over their education, teachers must figure out how to best meet each student where they’re at. This often requires the development of interactive lessons that demand focus and involvement in the face of at-home distractions, a task that can test even the most experienced of educators.  

Consistent communication can be a problem too, both with students and with their parents. Without physical interactions, teachers must work that much harder to maintain strong relationships and ensure everyone has the support they need. 

Finally, virtual teachers must overcome challenges related to technology. Cyber schools make constant use of tech-driven apps and tools, and it’s up to teachers to navigate these tools on their end and make sure students can navigate them on theirs. This is made easier with administrative support, however, with plenty of teacher training and assistance so that everyone can make the most of the tools provided. 

Virtual Teaching Rewards

Despite its challenges, virtual teaching offers a variety of rewards that make it an attractive alternative to in-person instruction. Just like students, teachers are given a significant amount of flexibility in how and where they work. Online teachers get to work remotely while still maintaining strong ties to their school community, and have a lot more freedom in how they coordinate their days. 

Beyond the inherent work-life balance afforded to virtual teachers, working for online charter schools is also a fantastic way to tap into what makes teaching so great in the first place. Students are highly encouraged to pursue what interests them, and it’s the teachers who get to help them discover these interests and develop a lifelong passion for learning. 

Due to the inherent discussion-based format of online schooling, there are also rewards to be had in the depth of connectivity that virtual teachers are able to obtain with their students. Rather than back-and-forth conversations in real time, online teachers facilitate nuanced, extended discussions with their students. This allows for enhanced critical thinking from students, and provides teachers with additional insights into the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.

The last, but certainly not least, of virtual teaching rewards is the ability to utilize technology for the benefit of students. Cyber school teachers rely heavily on technology and their own personal technical skills. And while there may be a learning curve involved with using virtual teaching tools, advances in educational technology also offer new – and, in many cases, better – ways to connect, engage, and instruct in the online classroom. 

Work with a Team That Understands the Importance of Virtual Classrooms

What is the best way to overcome the challenges of virtual teaching and reap the greatest rewards? Work with a virtual charter school that values your work as much as you do. 

At PA Distance Learning, we work closely with our teaching staff to ensure they have everything they need to succeed in the classroom. This includes on-demand support for any teaching challenges that arise, regardless of what they are. We also help facilitate opportunities for student engagement, with things like extracurricular activities, coordinated field trips, and more. 

Contact us today to learn about available teaching opportunities, and discover for yourself just how rewarding a career in virtual schooling can be.