Erica Staiger’s 5th year teaching looks a bit different than what she may have expected it to. With an iPad in hand, speaking to her class over a zoom call, she’s connecting to students in a way she never thought possible.

And while online learning is nothing new, the Owego-Apalachin School District wanted to give their children and children from surrounding districts the chance to learn virtually any time they want.

“We actually have quite a few students who have moved here from other districts, so some of them have been previous Owego students, but other kids have taken advantage of the virtual academy that we have here, so it’s been really nice to get to know kids from different places,” said Erica Staiger, Owego-Apalachin living environment teacher.

What You Need To Know

  • Students from Owego-Apalachin and several surrounding districts are a part of the program

  • Everything from simple lectures to science labs are taught through Zoom calls

  • Teachers average 10-15 students per class in a variety of subjects

So far the options for that virtual academy have been endless. Staiger teaches her children about cells with a microscope they can actually follow along with at home. It’s an alternative that’s made plenty of kids feel a lot more comfortable about school.

"I know we’ve had kids who would prefer to be at home and in previous years, they just don’t come to school. Now we at least have this option, so kids who prefer to be at home can still get access to education, even one on one with a teacher. I have a small class. I have ten students, so I’m able to connect with them more so,” said Staiger.

Staiger isn’t the only teacher for the virtual academy, and as it continues to gain popularity, the district has made sure more teachers are trained so more students can be reached. And while pandemic has brought plenty of bad, it’s shown these teachers and the district that some things can be done differently.”

“Last year we did do hybrid, so I have a lot of materials I used last year that I’m able to pull from, but it’s been kind of a fun challenge to try and figure out how do I do a microscope virtually and how do I do some of these things virtually," said Staiger.

Ask any of her kids and they’ll tell you, she continues to find ways to be creative each day and it’s those connections that continue to motivate her.

"I love teaching. That’s what I went into. I started off coaching and that was actually my favorite part was, 'wow, I really like talking to these kids and interacting with kids,' so it’s been really nice to have more back in the classroom but also have some of these ones virtually," said Staiger.