Teachers share how the Chesterfield Virtual School helps students and families flourish:
Amy Estes, first grade teacher, believes the Chesterfield Virtual School has a lot to offer K-8 students and families: My students are fantastic. I love that they come from all over the county so I’m not just teaching students from one area of Chesterfield. Chesterfield County is so big, and it’s really awesome to be able to have students from the north part and the south part and the east part and the west part together in one class. It makes for a super diverse group of students. We take kindergarten all the way through eighth grade, so we’re really like two schools in one. We would love for more people to join us and see what we’re about.
Nicholas Matalone, who teaches civics and sixth grade social studies and science, was one of the first teachers hired for the Chesterfield Virtual School: I teach here because I realized during COVID that there are some kids that virtual instruction became such a success for, who we were reaching in a way we hadn’t before, and I wanted to keep pursuing that. I think this school can be great for anyone, but there is a learning curve at first for students. There’s a lot of self-responsibility among students. There’s a lot more parent involvement too. I hope people understand our school is a place that offers an opportunity that wouldn’t be possible in other places. And I hope people take advantage of this very unique opportunity that isn’t really offered anywhere else.
Michelle Penhollow, kindergarten teacher, knows that the Chesterfield Virtual School is special: At our school, we prioritize your child's needs, offering flexibility, personalized attention and a focus on emotional well-being from kindergarten to eighth grade. Our resources, including virtual libraries and interactive tools, enhance learning experiences. We keep parents informed through our ParentVUE app and provide additional support through our ALL In tutoring program. Our after-school clubs also encourage friendship and exploration. Enrolling here empowers students with independence, confidence and a love for lifelong learning. If you value emotional well-being and a supportive environment, Chesterfield Virtual School is the perfect choice.
Jennifer Covais sees how the Chesterfield Virtual School makes a difference for the middle schoolers she teaches: I truly love teaching at Chesterfield Virtual School because I am able to provide engaging lessons using innovative technology that encourages collaboration and flexibility where students can achieve their educational goals while honing digital literacy skills. Teaching virtually also gives me the opportunity to really get to know my students and to be able to help them faster and without the distractions that are in an in-person classroom so that they are able to overcome hurdles in their learning without getting behind. It is also nice that students are able to be comfortable while they are learning, and don’t have to worry about the social situations that can potentially have a negative impact on their learning.