'Tis the Season

Winter is not officially here, but it sure feels like, looks like, even smells like winter to me!  Brrrrr.  I hope you are all snug in your online classes, looking out at the frigid world with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands and a smile your faces.  Next week will be the last office hour and last school week of the year--2013, that is--so it's a good time to check your progress and your requirements, renew your commitment to your school work, and get ready for the final lap of the school year.  While I enjoyed visiting with some of you for your first checkpoint, I still need to touch base with many of you who did not sign up or who I couldn't connect with during the "official" checkpoint window.  That's OK.  I'll be contacting you individually to get a meeting set up.  In the meantime, happy winter/Christmas, Hanukkah (a little late), Kwanza, or whatever! 

November Milepost!

I can't believe it, but it's already time for the first checkpoint in our school year.  As you are working on your program, pacing yourself according to your needs, start thinking about the following

• What do you need from this class?
• What do you want from this class?
• What is going well?
• What could go better?

I will be scheduling a time for each of you to have a brief  (5-10 minute) conversation (assessment) about your progress as a reader and writer.  This conversation can be conducted online, via telephone, or in person.  During this session, I will be asking you the questions above, and talking with you about your writing.  So that we can have something to focus on, please submit your writing sample (if you haven't already) by Friday, November 15.  Choose something from the class so far--preferably something you like and want to talk about. 

This checkpoint is for YOUR information and help, so don't worry about "getting it right" or "being prepared."  Please watch your Kmail for sign-up times and more information. Meantime, happy November!

October!

Greetings, Online English students!  I am hoping you're enjoying the fall weather and colors and sports and whatever else October has in store for you!  By now, you should be getting used to the school routine, figuring out how to stay on top of the assignments, and getting some valuable skills and knowledge in the process.  If there's anything I can do to help with that, PLEASE let me know.  I am sooo eager to make this year successful for you, and I will support you in any way I can. 

One way you can take advantage of my help is to attend the Tuesday Office Hour--4:00 - 5:00--either online through your Class Connect, or in person at the administration building downtown, Room 230.  Sometimes a face-to-face meeting can help get the ball rolling, if you're stuck or confused, or just want a little guidance.

Another possibility is the synchronous classes, offered through Aventa nationwide, also accessible on your Class Connect link.  This is an especially good option if you are interested in "meeting" some of your virtual classmates across the country. 

Meantime, have fun in the pre-snow days of falling leaves and chilly nights!

Off and Running!

Hey, you online students! Here we go for a new year of English fun! With today's cooler weather and rain, I'm actually starting to feel like it's time for school to start--and a good thing, too, since it's already the third week! This year's K12 program has so many great opportunities and offerings, I'm sure you will all have lots of success and accomplishments. I want to help with that, too. One exciting new offering is the synchronous sessions that will be available for students all over the nation to attend for collaboration, information, ideas, and fun! Check the kmail I sent earlier this month to see which sessions might interest you. Also, I will be holding my online office hour (4:00 - 5:00 each Tuesday) at the Administration Building downtown, Room 230, so I can be available in person to help you with any of your questions. Someone once said, "Life is what you make it." Let's make it great!

Home Stretch

Hard to believe, but the end of the year is within sight--only a little more than one week to go until online courses are officially over.  While you can continue with your work until the end of the Bend-La Pine school year--June 12--it's time to start tying up all loose ends and getting ready to finish the last inning.

In the next few days, I will be calling all of you--to make sure you're on track to pass your classes, to help you get there if you're not, and to THANK YOU for being such diligent students this year.  I've learned a LOT about the online class structure, and I can't wait to implement some changes to next year's program that will make it a better experience for every one of my students.  If you have any suggestions or comments, I would like to hear those, too; after all, this is about YOU and YOUR needs.

I hope all of you--students and coaches--has a GREAT summer break! 

April Showers . . .

. . . bring the school year closer to the end!  And I want to help each of you get to that finish line in style!  Thank you to all who are working so hard--students, coaches, tutors, etc. I have the greatest respect for you and your efforts.  Please continue to let me know how I can fit into your plans:  what I can do, how I can help, when you might need me.  As the K12 system keeps evolving to accommodate needs and make the experience the best it can be for all, I want to be the conduit for families--voicing your concerns, comments, and suggestions whenever possible.  Responses to my survey in a previous post did not indicate much desire to have regular group meetings of any kind, but I am still willing to put something together, if some of you would like.  Just because we're online doesn't mean we can't enjoy each other's company and ideas once in a while.  Please let me know what you think.  In the meantime, I hope you're all enjoying the springtime!  Cheers!

MARCHing into Spring!

A little less snow, a little more sun--Spring is just around the corner.  And although we'll probably have a few more winter-like days (OK, MANY more winter-like days), the promise of summer and the end of this school year is definitely in the air.  I will soon be asking, once again, for writing samples from each of you, and nudging your to keep up with progress goals, not because I want to nag, but because I want you to SUCCEED at this venture.  And I will be THRILLED with any requests for help; you only need to ask!

For those who have taken the time to respond to the survey in the previous post, THANK YOU.  I am still hoping more will take a minute or two (seriously!) to answer a few questions for me so that I can do my job better.  Just click on the SURVEY link and submit your responses.

I hope you are all well, enjoying the longer days, having a little fun, and kicking it online style!

Ready? Go!

Hey, you guys!  It's a new term, a new start, a new chance to learn and excel at English online!  Many of you finished off the first half of the year in a blaze of glory--meeting or even exceeding expectations.  Congratulations!  Some started later in the year and so are still getting the hang of the program.  Keep it up!!  Still others need to make some adjustments to their schedules or practices in order to do their best.  Let's go!!!  I want to help make the second half of the year the best it can be for you, and I have a few ideas of how that might happen. BUT I also want to get some feedback from you.  So, please take a couple of minutes to fill in this survey; it will help me help you.
SURVEY

Here we go, 2013!

Happy new year, online scholars!  I hope your winter break has left you refreshed and ready to dive into your studies with renewed vim and vigor.  As you know, the grading term ends this month, so let's make sure you finish in a blaze of glory!  Although learning coaches are always there to keep you on track and guide your lessons, don't forget: I would also love to help in any way I can.  Please call or kmail, come to my office hour or leave a note on this blog; my goal is your success!