Pennsylvania families are using PA Cyber to meet their unique needs and requirements.
Progressive educator John Dewey once said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." Over a thousand families in Pennsylvania are taking this notion to heart and have found an approach to learning that moves beyond simply fulfilling requirements. The following article celebrates three families who are using the innovative Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School to help guide their children through the school years and, more importantly, to encourage them to become life-long learners.
Finding out about PA Cyber
Celeste and Joseph Cardine of New Salem were homeschooling their two daughters and had one son in public school when Celeste read about PA Cyber in the newspaper. After learning about the school's curriculum and network of support, she was sold. Her son completed his junior and senior years in the program while remaining active in sports through the Brownsville school district. He graduated with 9 college credits and received a track scholarship to St. Francis University. His sisters, America (15) and Trinity (12) are in their third years with PA Cyber.
"I had been considering homeschooling my children," says Angi Petersen from Kittanning, "but I had no teaching experience, and I had doubts about leaving my job and being able to make it all work." The morning after Angi attended a PA Cyber seminar, however, she learned her accounting job had been eliminated. "I took that as a pretty clear sign that I should give this a try," she laughs, "and it has worked out beautifully." Angi and her husband, David, have three children, Lauren (17), Bradley (14), and Kayla (9). "We finally feel like we have a real choice for our kids' education and our tax dollars are truly working for us."
Jerry and Theresa Love, who live outside Harrisburg, had been homeschooling their children for over a decade. But once they had five children of school age, they felt they needed help staying on top of all the requirements. "We looked into other cyber schools, but so many of our friends had recommended PA Cyber. With eight children, and another on the way, we wanted a complete curriculum with lots of parental involvement, but needed one that would allow for flexible schedules in a busy household." The Love's eight children range in age from 1 to 17.
Taking the leap and learning together
Angi will never forget the day she sat her three children down and presented them with the idea of enrolling in PA Cyber. "I was nervous because this was such a big decision for our family. I really didn't know how the kids would react. But after I told them about this option, my son – who towers over me at 5'9" – hugged me and said, 'Thank you so much, Mom.'"
At first, Angi made the process harder than it needed to be because she struggled to let go of the familiar structure of school days. "I kept thinking it had to work a certain way," she says. "But I soon realized it was all about flexibility and finding out what suits my kids the best. The independent work is very challenging, but I see them now, working at their own pace, getting into the information until they really understand it. It's wonderful."
Celeste also sees the benefits of self-paced learning. Her children can spend ample time digging for information and doing what is necessary for their assignments, all with less pressure. "Independent learning is so important," she says, "and it is something kids don't get enough of in traditional public schools."
An added benefit to working so closely with her kids? "They're teaching me so much!" says Celeste. "I've never been crazy about English as a subject, but my daughter is now teaching me poetry. I am so tickled."
The Love family was used to homeschooling but appreciate PA Cyber's high standards and the variety of course content. The curriculum meets all of their educational needs, and the Loves still have important time together as a family. "Our 32-acre farm keeps our children busy," says Theresa. "They help take care of the animals and explore all the wonders of nature that God has given us."
Support through technology and teachers
All three families give high praise to PA Cyber for its technical support. In fact, Angi once spent three hours on the phone with a technical advisor to get her family's computer systems up and running. "He was this technical guru, and I couldn't believe how patient he was with me. He showed genuine concern about helping us so my kids could learn."
Once set up, families choose how much "screen time" they have. Some programs offer real-time learning, known as virtual classes, where a child is on-line with other students and a teacher at specified times. Other families opt for more self-paced programs using books and worksheets.
In addition to technical support, the parents all responded with great enthusiasm when asked about their families' instructional supervisors. These supervisors oversee classwork and set up all technical support. More importantly, however, they act as counselors, role models, and advocates for the children.
Theresa refers to their supervisor, Bill Price, as "one of the family," and the feeling is completely mutual. "It is really a joy to work with the Loves," says Bill. "They have the kind of kids a teacher roots for, and I absolutely won the lottery when I was assigned to work with this family."
Angi is also grateful for the support from the staff, noting that the feedback from her instructional supervisor, Randy Calhoun, is more detailed than any report card she ever received from traditional schools. "Randy has never actually met my kids, yet he watches out for them and responds to their needs in a way that shows he really does know them. His support gives me the reassurance I need to know this program is working for my family."
Customer satisfaction (and happy employees, too)
Dr. Nick Trombetta, Chief Executive Officer of PA Cyber, asserts that "service and advocacy are our priority every day" at the innovative school without walls. And both parents and students are thankful for this commitment.
Angi's daughter Lauren, new to PA Cyber this year, enjoys her personalized schedule. She gets better sleep and feels healthier, and she knows that pursuing her academics in a more relaxed way has reduced a great deal of stress. "I've been in both public and private schools before," Lauren says, "and there is just no comparison to PA Cyber. I'm learning so much and getting really good grades, but I have more energy and I'm happier than I've ever been in school."
The employees of PA Cyber are happier, too. "I've died and gone to heaven," says Randy, who taught for over 30 years in a public school before becoming an instructional supervisor. He attributes his job satisfaction to being able to get to know the students one-on-one and seeing such immediate and positive results. "There's more opportunity to help them, there's more flexibility for them and for me, and it is such a positive step in finding new ways to educate children."
While the program is not for everyone – older students need strong motivation and young kids must have a great deal of parental support – PA Cyber is proving to be the perfect solution for so many families.
"There is nothing better than being with your kids when the light goes on, when they 'get it,'" says Celeste. "It really is a thrill to have this kind of relationship with my children. I'm giving them this freedom with their education, this freedom to help them make the most out of their lives." •