We asked Dr. Christina Struyk-Bonn, Executive Director, to tell us more about the Metro East Web Academy. Here’s what we learned:
Q: What’s one innovation or tool you’ve implemented that has made a significant impact on your students or staff?
A: At the Metro East Web Academy we have an Early College program that students who are heading to college can get involved with and earn college credit while still in high school. We have also started a CAPP (Career and Professional Pathway) program that allows students to earn a career certificate through a local community college while also completing their high school diploma. This program is a great option for students who want to learn about a trade but may not be considering a four year degree. There are many areas in which students can earn certificates such as early childhood education, cyber security, welding, graphic design, etc. It allows students to have a leg-up when applying for jobs in the fields that they are interested in.
Q: What’s a success story from your program that you’re especially proud of?
A: During the 2023-2024 school year, we had a student who ended up in our CAPP program and earned a certificate in video production. Before starting the program, he had less than a 2.0 GPA and was losing interest in school. When he started the Video Production Certificate program, his GPA jumped up to almost a 3.0 and his interest in school was renewed. When he walked across the stage at graduation, he had earned this certificate as well as his high school diploma and was already building experience in the career of his choice.
Q: How has being part of DLAC shaped your approach or inspired your work?
A: Administrators and teachers from the Metro East Web Academy have been attending DLAC ever since the start of this conference. Three years ago, I found myself in a session about CTE and developing Programs of Study online. It was through this workshop and discussions with other online schools that we looked to develop the CAPP program.
Q: If you could debunk one myth about digital learning, what would it be?
A: Online education is not easier than brick and mortar education. In fact, it is the opposite. Our students need to be self-starters, self-advocates, and disciplined in order to do well in online education. Because of these necessary traits in our students, learning online can actually be more difficult than learning in person.
Q: What’s something you wish you had known when you started with digital or hybrid learning?
A: When I started working in the digital or hybrid setting, I wish I had known what a huge benefit it could be for certain students. Not all students do well online, but some do and it can change their lives if they turn to this online setting and it becomes a safe and effective learning environment.
Q: What’s one thing you hope the future of digital learning will achieve, and how is your program paving the way for that vision?
A: What I hope digital learning will achieve is an understanding of how AI can impact student learning in positive ways. Right now there is so much fear and uncertainty about the use of both technology and AI in the classroom, that I have seen classrooms move in the opposite direction; away from technology and towards more packet learning. My hope for digital learning is that we can pave the way for using technology productively in schools and we are already doing so by guiding our students in the discussion and use of AI in the classroom.
Q: What’s one challenge your program has overcome, and how did you tackle it?
A: One of the challenges our program has overcome has been the invisibility of our program within the district. Many of our community members were not aware of our existence but we have become a presence at community events such as the Teddy Bear Parade, the Farmer’s Market and the Gresham Car Show. More and more families are aware of our existence and have found that we can be a benefit to the right student in the right situation.
Q: What’s a unique aspect of your program or approach that sets it apart?
A: Our program is set apart because of the creative approach we take to student learning and support. When we have a challenge that we need to overcome, we gather together and discuss how to overcome it. The creative solutions our staff come up with have been a huge benefit to our students over the years. For example, we have an open enrollment but we realized that some of the students who come to us later in the semester are not as successful as those who start at the beginning of the semester. Because of this we developed the SHARC class (Student Help and Resource Class). Students in this class receive further instruction in how to be successful in an online environment and they have added support from a counselor and teacher, both of whom keep an eye on engagement and progress with these students. This has been an added help and support for students who need it.
Q: What’s a question that you would like us to ask the next organization we interview?
A: What accountability measures have you put in place to demonstrate the ongoing impact your school has on student learning?