Dana Rogers is a first grade Virtual Learning teacher and teaches Virtual Learning students from North Ridge, Crestview, Oak Ridge and Willow Bend. She said a few weeks ago, she and the other North Ridge Virtual Learning teachers were discussing ways to include their students in school activities.

“We have not had much one on one interaction with our virtual students so we thought it would be great to get to see some of their sweet faces in person,” Rogers said. “We had seen other schools on social media have events for their virtual students and thought it was a great idea. Our students are in a unique situation this year because they are away from their schools, teachers, and friends, and we are trying to make sure that they still feel part of our school community.”

Rogers said that her Virtual Learning students from each of the campuses was invited to North Ridge to participate in the event.

“Some of my students had never seen North Ridge before,” Rogers said. “It was so neat to show that it didn’t matter what school you go to - we are all Tigers!”

Rogers said that she enjoyed getting to see her Virtual Learning students in person, and she could tell they were happy to see her too.

“They were all so kind and glad that they were included in something special for the day,” Rogers said. “We even took a couple of pictures with our students and you could tell by their eyes, since they wore a mask, they were happy!”

Marla Dabbert is a fifth grade Virtual Learning teacher and teaches Virtual Learning students from North Ridge and Legacy. She said the best part of the event was giving the kids an opportunity to see their teachers in person.

“The students were very excited and grateful,” Dabbert said. “I even had one student provide me cake pops and a Starbucks gift card!”

Dabbert said that even though Virtual Learning is a challenge for students and teachers, she knows that the support of her Virtual Learning cohort is what gets her through.

“Part of being a Virtual Learning teacher is proving to myself that I am making a difference even though it is on the other side of a computer screen,” Dabbert said.