Online Cyber School Teachers Get Creative in Their Classrooms

People who say that online cyber school teachers have an easy job have never spent a day in these educators' shoes. And because of that, they probably have no idea just how rewarding - and challenging - this job can be. Teaching in an online school and commanding a virtual classroom takes a great deal of talent, creativity and patience. This is due to that fact that these teachers must know how to teach both virtually and in an actual classroom. Some of the things online teachers should be prepared for include: 1. Lack of in-person interaction. Traditional classroom teachers have the advantage of being in the same room with their students. It's easier to capture and hold their students' attention, and they have the benefit of being physically present to monitor what students are doing. Online cyber school teachers have to devise ways to keep students engaged over the Internet. They have to learn how to command a virtual classroom, which isn't always easy. 2. Taking a completely personalized approach to education. Instead of working in a classroom where the majority of kids learn the same material at the same time, online teachers work individually with students and parents to create lesson plans and customize the cyber school curriculum to meet each child's unique needs. They teach group lessons in virtual classrooms, but they also spend a great deal of time working one-on-one with their students to monitor progress, answer questions and track success. Because of this, online teachers often report that they get to know their students better than they would in a traditional school. 3. Being available outside of traditional school hours. Because online cyber school doesn't operate on set hours, children may be learning at all different hours of the day and evening. This means that their teachers try to be available when they need extra help, which often means working extended hours. 4. Navigating an online education management system. Online cyber school teachers need to have a strong command of whatever online education management systems their school uses. This is the primary tool through which parents and students can access the resources they need, submit assignments and tests, record attendance, and track progress. Online school teachers must be certified by the state in which they teach, and they are trained in both online learning and virtual classroom management. It's a unique job that requires plenty of dedication, creativity and skill, but it is also extremely rewarding.