Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Chelsea White

Working with children has always been a significant part of Chelsea White’s life. Before graduating from La Roche University in May 2020 with a bachelor’s in Early Education and Special Education, she was employed at a daycare in her hometown of Pittsburgh. 

After obtaining her degree, she then started a position at the Bradley Center, a social services organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families affected by trauma, mental illness, and behavioral health challenges.

Even though Ms. White knew she always wanted to work with kids in some sort of way, it wasn’t until college that she realized teaching was her true calling.

“I fell in love with Special Education,” she explained. “I knew it was the direction I wanted to take.”

This past November, Ms. White came to PA Distance Learning Charter School where she is now a high school Special Education teacher.

A part of her position is to host resource rooms where she aids those in need of extra assistance. She also uses this time to work one-on-one with students who have IEPs, or Individualized Learning Plans, and make sure they are maintaining good grades and keeping up with their assignments.

After being around infants at a daycare for five and a half years, becoming a high school teacher was a big jump. But she looks forward to seeing her students excel and engage with each other every day.

When asked what she enjoys most about being a part of the PA Distance team, Ms. White answered, “It was definitely a big change for me coming from an alternative brick-and-mortar school to moving completely online.”

“But I love who I work with–everyone is helpful and gets along with each other, and there are a million people here who I could go to for help with anything. All I have to do is peek over my desk!”

For information about the Special Education department at PA Distance, please visit our website. You can also learn more about IEPs here.