Why Do Pacific Preparatory Teachers Love One-on-One Online Education?

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Semester after semester, teachers tell us how impressed they are with the power of a 1:1 private school education. We hear things like this all the time: “My student learned so much so fast!”; “I was so surprised at how quickly we developed rapport!”; “We were able to do the most exciting projects!”

In a year where the majority of our 1:1 instruction is happening online, we checked in with teachers to see how things were going. Their answers didn’t surprise us (we’re used to hearing how well things are going!), but they might surprise you.

We asked them: “What do you love about 1:1 online education?”

Here’s what they said:

From our teachers:

“I love being to individualize the curriculum for each student. This lets students know that they don’t have to be like others. They can just be themselves. The 1:1 online space allows me to check in with them and see how they are doing and adjust as necessary. It’s a safe space for them to grow.” -Frannie I.

“With 1:1 education, I get to know my student so thoroughly and can devote all my attention to them, their questions and their engagement. After spending years teaching 35 student classes, it is so refreshing to actually be able to have a thorough understanding of a student's growth week over week, and to be able to tailor their lessons to their individual interests! 1:1 online instruction can be a great tool for engagement, especially for students who are struggling in the larger-class environment during COVID distance-learning.” -Ellie V.

“1:1 online teaching allows for personalized instruction that engages students based on their interests. We can work at a pace that works for them and activities that may be otherwise difficult or impossible in a classroom setting. We can detach from traditional teaching structures and take a step back to evaluate focus areas and remedy gaps, then move forward with a fresh start.” -Jennifer A.

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“With 1:1 online learning, there are so many tools to take advantage of to engage students’ interests. I love the ability to create meaningful relationships with my students, and how I can use these relationships to help create lessons that fit my students unique interests and strengths.” -Emma B.

“I love 1:1 online teaching because I am able to adapt in the moment for each and every student.  If I have planned something that the student grasps quickly or that they already know, I am able to make changes immediately and shift towards what they actually need to learn in order to give them that challenge without delay. I can get in more quality teaching time at my student's level and Zone of Proximal Development. While many students might struggle with online learning in a large classroom, I am able to create individualized agendas and cater to exactly what they need.” -Darla R.

In Conclusion

This year, we have a cohort of over forty teachers working 1:1 with our students online and each of them has their own unique story about what is working well but one thing remains consistent among their reports: 1:1 online homeschool allows for customization, relationship-building, and increased engagement, the things from which a great education are built.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Staci Stutsman
Staci Stutsman

Assistant Head of School
Staci is a dedicated and detail-oriented Assistant Head of School who supports the daily operations and processes of the school. Her responsibilities include leading strategy on teacher professional development, student learning, and staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding. Beyond her work at Pacific Preparatory, Staci is proud to lead school district partnerships at Tutor Corps and our scholarship program at the Tutor Corps Foundation, working to bring the gift of 1:1 education at free and reduced rates to over 200 students a year. Staci graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Michigan University before completing her Ph.D. in English from Syracuse University. At Syracuse, she taught college-level writing classes and trained new graduate teaching assistants. Before becoming the Operations Director at Pacific Preparatory, Staci taught students across the Bay Area through the organization. Her experience as a teacher has given her a unique perspective on the needs of both teachers and students in the 1:1 education space. Staci's attention to detail and strong work ethic have made her an invaluable member of the team. In her free time, Staci loves reading fiction, snuggling with her dogs, cooking, and going for hikes around Portland.

Quality EducationStaci Stutsman (she/her/hers)