For Lindsey Korst, KJ Academy Middle School Math and Social Studies teacher, the virtual learning environment offered by KJ Academy helps her stay in touch with the reason she wanted to be an educator: building relationships and getting to know her students.

Korst said KJ Academy allows her to get to know her students better than she otherwise would in a traditional, in-person environment, largely because some students struggle in a classroom environment.

“A lot of times, [students] might not be able to be their true selves when they’re in those in-person environments,” Korst said. “We kind of take those blocks and those barriers away and we just get to know who they are.”

Additionally, counter to how many perceive online education, students do not sit in a large group on Zoom throughout the day at KJ Academy.

According to Korst, students at KJ Academy have one large group session in the morning for announcements and check-ins, but the majority of the day consists of independent work time for students, followed by small group sessions in which teachers assess how students are doing, and provide direct and personalized instruction accordingly.

“We get to know our students very, very well because we tend to work with them in small groups and one-on-one, more so than they would be with a large group,” Korst said.

In addition to getting to know students, teachers at KJ Academy also build connections with students’ families.

Korst said that KJ Academy is a family-centered program, in which families stay very informed about and connected to their child’s education so they can assist where needed. 

Though primarily virtual, KJ Academy also offers in-person enrichment opportunities to which students and families are invited.

“A lot of people still think of virtual learning as what happened during COVID but it's really important to understand that we changed what virtual learning is,” Korst said. “We always say try and see what happens because you never know when this is going to fit what the student needs to be successful and get them back into loving their school and their education.”