Florida Virtual School began with a small staff that believed in the dream of online learning. Ten years later, FLVS now employs more than 400 full-time and 176 part-time instructors, and more than 100 support staff who have come together to meet the needs of students across the state of Florida and beyond. News in a Click asked these unsung heroes, “What does FLVS mean to you?” Their answers are like the individuals themselves: nothing short of extraordinary.

Around 1998, I was writing for the Brevard County School District's monthly paper Excellence!. We sat around the table discussing possible articles. Someone brought up this "virtual school" near the center of the state which was offering classes on the computer. We knocked the idea around a bit and no one had any strong thoughts on it. The idea seemed ridiculous, so we let it rest.

"Big mistake. Huge. " as Julia Roberts noted in Pretty Woman.
Christopher Robin “Kit” Adams, English II and IV

I have been with FLVS a little over a year. I started out as a substitute, then became an adjunct and now I am a full time biology teacher. To me, FLVS has been a place where I can combine my care and concern for students with my love of biology while working with an amazing group of professionals who (even though I have never met many of them face to face) have become dear friends and colleagues. I feel so blessed to teach with FLVS and am so proud to work here--every time I have the opportunity--whether at the grocery store, library or park, I tell people about FLVS and the opportunities it has affored me to be able to work from home and raise my two babies, while still being a teacher who can (hopefully!) touch the lives of her students.
Lisa Williams, Biology

As for what FLVS has meant to me, it has meant that I was able to help students I never would have met in a traditional setting, and helped them at times in their life when no other teacher could.  I have 'met' athletes, actors, disabled students,  students forgotten or abandoned by the traditional system, and the over-achievers.  I have had more one-on-one conversations with parents than in my entire 13 year career previous to FLVS; and many of them have become genuine friends.  It has also meant that I am able to wake up every single day to do a job I love, with people who inspire and challenge me to do it better every day.  Everyone should be so lucky!
Julia Maccarone, World Geography

FLVS has meant to me a lot of things.  Being part of a wonderful organization, which promotes excellence, only inspires me more to do my best and put the student at the heart of every decision. 
Jill Sherrard, English II

Working for FLVS has meant that I have truly had the opportunity to provide each student with what he or she needs to be successful.  An educator's dream!
Molly Trappe, English I

Well I will start at the start.  I began working for FLVS on August 1st of this year.  I wanted something different.  I wanted to learn and grow in ways I hadn't experienced before.  I wanted to focus on teaching and not on discipline.  I wanted to say yes to my students instead of no.

So what has happened in 5 months.  I can honestly say, a tremendous amount!

I must mention the students and their families.  I don't think a week goes by where I don't hear from at least one family telling me what FLVS has meant to them.  I feel that I am truly making a difference one student at a time.  I can actually give undivided attention.  I can help students when they are ready, and I feel I really can say yes far more often than I ever say no.  I get to be the boost, the cheerleader, and the teacher all at once.
Renee Mitchell, Substitute

What FLVS means to me:
1.  Every decision we make is based on what is best for students.
2.  Collaborative communication is part of our culture and a key to move forward as an organization.
3.  Connecting students and families with curriculum is a key for student success.
4.  We are forward thinkers. We take the ordinary and create extraordinary.
5.  We reflect the energy and spirit of FLVS as a leader in online education.
Mary Mitchell,  Professional Learning Manager and former FLVS Instructor

To me, FLVS epitomizes the revolutionary spirit that our country was founded on. We've thrown out the old way of instruction and pioneered innovative initiatives to the point where we are looked on as the front runner in secondary virtual education. Although I no longer serve as an instructor and currently work in Curriculum Services helping to develop and enhance our courses, I am still just as proud to be a member of the Florida Virtual School organization.
Doris McManus, Curriculum Innovation Specialist and former FLVS instructor

As an educator, FLVS has been an organization that has encouraged, challenged, and inspired me to do and be far more than I thought possible.
Terri Smouse, M/J Science 3

FLVS has meant to me: Opportunity & Exploration! It is an environment that embraces new ideas and change. It is not afraid to try a new path.
Beth Miller, Learning Specialist

Florida Virtual School is my dream job because I am able to have one-on-one contact with all of my students and really get to know them. It was difficult getting to know the students in a traditional brick-and-mortar school, but now I can have conversations with all of them about the Wonderful World of Latin!
Sandra Enscoe, Latin I and II

I have been with FLVS for three years.  During that time, FLVS has been such a positive environment for me.  There is so much support from colleagues.  I am never alone.   Even better is the support we offer students.  To meet kids where they are...anytime, any place, any path, any pace...is truly what its all about! 

We're truly walking the walk:)
Amy La Grasta, School Counselor

Working at FLVS has provided me the opportunity to be a true educator...not a hall duty monitor, not a lunch room monitor, not a referee or a disciplinarian....a true educator.  I value the ability to make decisions that are good for students.  I revel in the collaborative environment.  I appreciate the leadership whose focus is on transforming education and who are willing to make it happen with actions, not just words.  I am truly blessed to have found this organization.
Kathleen DePalma, Learning Community Leader

FLVS has meant a closer bond with students and parents than I ever thought possible.  I am able to share in my student's personal triumphs, as well as their academic successes.  Every single interaction is a positive one, and I have renewed faith in our educational system, as well as in the teenagers of America!!!  Two years ago, I never could have imagined teaching online; now I can't imagine teaching any other way.  :)
Jennifer Pulitano, English I and FCAT Prep

Coming to FLVS after 20 years in the traditional classroom, truly gave me a new lease on life.  Working at FLVS has given me the opportunity to teach at new level and to be a pioneer in education. It has been the most exciting years of my career.  I can’t wait to see how far FLVS can go.
Sue Shelton, Latin

FLVS has given me the opportunity to meet a completely new group of students, via online, whom I would have never gotten to know otherwise! It's a new world of teaching and learning, which I find exciting and new every day. Also, I am working with some amazing people who care about each other and about the students in a profound way, that exemplifies what education should be all about!! I am most happy to be a small part of FLVS!!
Carole Roberts, Drivers Ed

FLVS to me means family.

Granted it is a family that I rarely get to see but the bond that ties us all together is strong.
That bond is the belief that we are all here for the sole purpose of educating young minds with technology as our chalkboard and textbooks.

Watching us grow over the past 7 years I have been here has been a wonderful, humbling experience.  When we are together I look around the room and I see some familiar faces and many new ones.  We come from different places, different backgrounds and different education levels. 

Our belief in what FLVS stands for,what FLVS can achieve are the ties that bind our family together as one. I am proud to be a part of this growing family.
Dawn Towle, Personal Fitness