At Visions, our mission is to empower students to take ownership of their learning, and since enrolling in the Independent Study Academy this year, Betty C. has done just that.
Betty started her 11th grade year at Visions with the hopes of finding a learning environment and pace that would work for her. Here, she has had the opportunity to work with her teachers to create a plan and routine that fits her individual needs.
So far, this new approach to learning has helped her to have less stress and anxiety, and she is truly understanding her lessons. Her teacher Mr. Kotko shared, “Betty showed an impressive determination to succeed from the beginning. She is not only passing…she is UNDERSTANDING.”
In addition to the personalized learning environment, Betty has had access to one-on-one teacher support. “[The teachers] work really hard to have us understand the work, which I’ve never really seen in some or even most of my past teachers,” she shared. Learning is different for every student, but with access to the right tools and support, every student can achieve.
“Betty’s using ordinary means (persistence, support, flexibility of Independent Study) to make extraordinary progress toward her goals.” – Mr. Kotko
With her new routine, Betty has found more time to explore her hobbies and interests. Two of her biggest interests are drawing and playing video games. In the future, she hopes to meld these two passions into a career in concept art, which is visual art used to create the look and feel of a project such as a video game, film, or book.
Betty’s story is a powerful reminder that when students are given the opportunity to learn in a way that works for them, they can discover not only academic success, but also their sense of purpose. As Mr. Kotko reflects, “Visions provided the opportunity to sculpt a routine that fit Betty’s needs, and having a teacher available with timely support helped her overcome any hurdles.”
Check out some of Betty’s artwork below!
