Mr. Stanwood is a high school science teacher at Pearson Online Academy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in biology from Rutgers University. Mr. Stanwood became a teacher in 2003 and joined Pearson Online Academy in 2011. He shares his story below.

“I started working on a fishing vessel out of Dutch Harbor as a biologist. Afterwards, I moved onto an assignment with AmeriCorps, where I sampled and reported on stream health. I also performed environmental outreach in schools and for other community groups. I really enjoyed the environmental outreach, so I gave teaching a try.

The benefit of teaching at Pearson Online Academy is that students are able to own their learning, and are accountable for their decisions to study and work hard. It is inspiring to teach these students and it helps bring out the best in me.

Our amazing student body is what makes the school community so special. We have students from all over the world and from many walks of life sharing their experiences in our many clubs and activities. The depth and diversity of these interactions is a remarkable asset when it comes to sharing information and ideas with our Connections Academy global village.”

When Mr. Stanwood is not teaching, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and camping with his wife. He and his wife are also both regular year-round surfers and enjoy practicing yoga.

I love Pearson Online Academy because it allows me to teach a variety of subjects to motivate and inspire leaders of tomorrow. Our students are amazing and motivated, and this makes teaching an absolute dream!
— Mr. Stanwood

read more

Ms. Stradley is an elementary school teacher at Pearson Online Academy. She started her teaching career in 2005 and joined Connections Academy in 2012, Pearson Online Academy in 2016. Ms. Stradley holds a bachelor's degree in communication and elementary education, and a master's degree in exceptional student education from the University of South Florida.

Learn more about Ms. Stradley's online teaching experience below:

"I wanted to become a teacher because I have a love for learning and wanted to share that same passion for education with others. At Pearson Online Academy, I love working with and getting to know our diverse families from all over the world. I also enjoy discovering more about our wonderful educational program that helps many students develop unique skills.

There are many benefits to teaching at an online school. One of the benefits is that you get to build a more sincere relationship with your students' entire family. At Pearson Online Academy, everyone is interested in everyone's "story," and we strive to bring our families closer together."

In her spare time, Ms. Stradley likes to spend time with her family, go to the beach, and attend baseball games.

Pearson Online Academy is an amazing educational option.
— Ms. Stradley

read more

Mr. Trapani is a middle school science and art teacher at Pearson Online Academy. He began his teaching career in 2001 and joined Pearson Online Academy in 2016. Previously, Mr. Trapani was a teacher at Connections Academy. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Boston College, and a master's degree in science education from University of Central Florida.

When asked about his teaching career and the benefits of online school, Mr. Trapani said:

"For as long as I remember, I've been exploring the world around me—asking questions and gathering the knowledge and tools necessary to get the answers. My interest was always in science and nature, so I pursued my degree in biology and environmental science at Boston College. There, I studied the behavior of white-tailed deer, coyote, and shorebirds. When I graduated from college, I never stopped learning and exploring the world around me. I wanted to inspire children to become life-long learners like myself and help develop the creative minds we need to solve tomorrow's problems. The way I see it, teaching is one of the best ways I have to invest in our future.

Online teaching allows me to treat students as the individuals they are meant to be. Whether it is one-on-one in a Livelesson® session, a webmail, or a phone call, I have more ways to communicate with my students than in the traditional school setting. Not only do I have more flexibility with communication, but I can also give students more flexibility with their assignments and adjust their pace according to their personal and academic needs.

What I love about working at Pearson Online Academy is having the opportunity to work with such bright, curious minds who have a passion for learning and exploring. I enjoy challenging students and being challenged because it pushes me to become a better teacher and see the world from a different perspective. The curriculum at Pearson Online Academy is challenging and it teaches students to develop many of the skills needed in the 21st century. Online students have more exposure to working with technology than most brick-and-mortar programs. They become more skilled using computer software, e-mail, researching online, and collaborating with students and teachers in virtual settings. Also, being in a program with many international students, the children have exposure to different cultures and viewpoints similar to what they will experience in the workforce.

Pearson Online Academy has a highly-qualified staff who truly cares about the success of their students and gives them the personal attention and resources needed to help reach their full potential."

Outside of school, Mr. Trapani is the director of Orlando Permaculture, a non-profit sustainability group in central Florida. He helps educate community members on how to understand and cooperate with nature in order to design resilient communities that increase abundance while enriching the lives of all plants, animals, and humans within them.

At Pearson Online Academy, I get to teach a global community of learners who will one day make a difference all over the world.
— Mr. Trapani

read more

Ms. Valentine is a middle school advisory teacher at Pearson Online Academy. She started her teaching career when she joined Pearson Online Academy in 2007. Ms. Valentine holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in middle school education from Xavier University.

When asked about why she chose to become a teacher, she said the following:

“From the time I was little, I was propping my baby dolls up at the little school desk in front of the chalkboard that we had in our basement. I have always wanted to be a teacher and would ask my teachers for extra books or worksheets so I could go home and teach my brother and sister, as well as my dolls. Wanting everyone to reach their fullest potential has always come naturally to me.

The benefit of teaching at an online school like Pearson Online Academy is that we teachers can individualize each student’s instruction. Not all students fit into the same mold. As a teacher at Pearson Online Academy, I relish the opportunity to help those students outside of the common mold so they can find their passion and their place in education.”

In Ms. Valentine’s spare time, she loves going on adventures with her husband, including skydiving, white-water rafting, skiing, and traveling. She also enjoys bike riding, swimming, and visiting the Cincinnati Children’s Museum and the Cincinnati Zoo, reading, and running.

My favorite part about teaching at Pearson Online Academy is ‘meeting’ students and families from all over the world. Learning about different cultures, customs, and languages has influenced the way I teach.
— Ms. Valentine

read more

Ms. Van Dyken is a high school math teacher at Pearson Online Academy. She started her teaching career more than thirty years ago and joined Pearson Online Academy in 2011. Ms. Van Dyken holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Montana State University and a master’s degree in secondary education from Regis University.

When asked about her experiences with Pearson Online Academy and teaching, Ms. Van Dyken said the following:

“I became a teacher because I enjoy mathematics and found that I could explain the material in a way that makes sense. Teaching mathematics is my way of serving society and giving to others. When students understand math, they are unhindered and better prepared to pursue their dreams.

Teaching at an online school allows me to focus on the individual student. The Pearson Online Academy graduates will have the foundational skills to succeed in college. In addition, the online environment teaches students to become self-starters, while giving them the technology skills to excel in the 21st century.

There are various things that make the Pearson Online Academy school community so special. For example, the staff feels like a family. We know each other’s interests, share celebrations, and feel each other’s pain and struggles. Additionally, students in an online environment often open up and share more about themselves than they would in a traditional bricks-and-mortar school. Therefore, I often find that I forge closer relationships with my online students than I did in a traditional school. Students in an online environment also have more time to build closer one-to-one relationships with their teachers.”

When Ms. Van Dyken is not teaching at Pearson Online Academy, she is working on a family farm or in her garden, or spinning wool to knit socks.

I love the variety and excitement that results from our students’ living in so many different countries and participating in a variety of activities. It is a new adventure every single day.
— Ms. Van Dyken

read more

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, New York Institute of Technology; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University of Portland

Lisa Vaughn started teaching in 2001 and joined Pearson Online Academy in 2020. She teaches core subjects to students in third grade.

read more