Successful students believe in their ability to learn and to make positive use of what they learn. Successful teachers believe in their students. Wendy Pantoja became a teacher because she believes there is a need for passionate teachers who care about their students and about the subject they teach.
Ms. Pantoja became an English teacher because she loves to write. It was a talent that sustained her in high school, and pointed the way to a career in college. Her goal now is to help students develop the same love for self-expression and communication. Her greatest accomplishment as a teacher lies in helping students believe in themselves.
Ms. Pantoja has taught for nine years at the middle and high school levels. She has also taught aspiring teachers at the University of Central Florida for four years. At UCF, she instructed students in the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing program.
In 2002, Ms. Pantoja’s talents and enthusiasm for teaching were recognized with her reception of National Board Certification. In 2001, she became a National Writing Project Teacher Consultant. She is especially enthusiastic about becoming a member of the Florida Virtual School faculty. She believes the FLVS model of online learning provides an important alternative for achieving flexible, student-centered teaching.
Ms. Pantoja earned her Master of Education and her Bachelor of Science degrees in English Language Arts Education from the University of Central Florida.
