Entries by Justina Janas

Student Spotlight: Published Author Starts A New Chapter

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In our Independent Study program, Alivia created a personalized learning plan that allows her to finish school while pursuing her writing.

Student Spotlight: Published Author Starts A New Chapter

Since she was seven years old, Alivia has loved telling stories. Starting off with short pieces of fiction, she eventually began taking on more lengthy projects that explored her personal struggles and became an author. 

“I love being able to escape into a world that I can control,” says Alivia. “It just makes me so happy to write!” 

Her Story

Unfortunately, due to bullying and her own struggles with mental health, her previous school was no longer a good fit for her. Alivia needed a school with less drama that would support her creative ambitions. In her teacher, Colleen Darling, Alivia found a mentor who supported her unique needs as a student and as a writer. 

“I think what I find the coolest about Ms. Darling is that she’s so compassionate for her students,” says Alivia. “She really cares for them, no matter the circumstance.”

In our Independent Study program, Alivia created a personalized learning plan that allows her to finish school while pursuing her writing and other interests. With her teacher’s support (and editing skills!), Alivia published her second novel, Waves (2021). A story of a teenage girl who copes with the death of her older brother. Her schedule also allows her time to take community college courses, volunteer at a local cat shelter, and participate in Visions’ Find Your Voice writing class. 

Turning the Page

Alivia is on track to graduate in Fall 2022, after which she plans on attending a four year university to study animal care, another great passion of hers. Her goal is to become a veterinarian that helps exotic small animals or cats. Does this mean she’s done writing after school?

“No, of course not!” Alivia says. “When I have time to write I will write, and when I’m working as a veterinarian I will still be brainstorming ideas all day long!” 

Alivia thanks her teacher for her continual support and has a message for those who also struggle with depression: 

“For anyone who is struggling with depression know that you are not alone. Know that you are loved. Know that depression does not define or control you. You just have to believe in yourself; that’s the first step.”

Grad Spotlight: From ESL Student to ESL Teacher

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Giselle worked with her teacher to balance online high school courses while improving her English reading and writing skills.

Grad Spotlight: From ESL Student to ESL Teacher

Giselle G. is a perfect example of what happens when a hard working student connects with a teacher who understands how to help them succeed. 

As a sophomore, her battle with Graves’ disease (an immune system disorder) and requirements as an ESL (English as a second language) student made traditional schools a hard fit for her. Unable to fit a traditional school schedule, Giselle looked for a program that supported her individual educational needs while allowing her to work at her own pace. At Visions, Giselle met credentialed teacher Miguel Garcia who put her on the path to success. 

“My relationship with Mr. Garcia was great,” says Giselle. “His guidance and advice is what motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and explore different academic fields at a young age.” 

Student Becomes The Teacher

Giselle worked with her teacher to balance traditional high school courses with improving her English reading and writing skills. Not only that, but Giselle also managed to take college classes with her teacher’s support!

“Giselle is a prime example of the tenacious students we have in our EL program at Visions,” says teacher Miguel Garcia. Giselle’s tenacity and love of learning marked her as one of the more successful students in the English Learner program, one others would often turn to for help. 

“Helping other ESL students at Visions came very naturally,” says Giselle. “Their struggles with language learning were very similar to the difficulties I previously had.” 

This experience of helping other students proved to be influential as Giselle prepared to leave Visions and enter the workforce. 

Paying It Forward

“When thinking of my career options in college I thought back to helping students at Visions.” 

Giselle graduated as part of the Class of 2016 and after getting a headstart on college credit at Visions, she went on to Cal Poly to study teaching English. As part of her undergraduate program, Giselle had the opportunity to study at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea where she began studying a third language! After graduating with her BA in 2021, she returned to Cal Poly for her Master’s program focused on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). 

Giselle’s language-learning skills have served her well in learning Korean while giving her perspective into the experience of how students learn English. She is currently working to complete her Master’s Degree and eventually intends to transfer to a Doctoral program focused on TESOL. Her ultimate goal is to become a teacher who helps other students learn English in the same way her teacher helped her. 

“I know for sure that I want to teach,” says Giselle. “I want to give students the same guidance I was given by my teachers. Mr. Garcia’s work played a crucial role in bettering me as a student and now as an adult.”

Highlighting Visions’ Partnership with Outschool

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Since 2017, Visions In Education has partnered with Outschool to offer our students and parents online group classes led by independent teachers. With thousands of online enrichment activities to choose from, Outschool has helped connect Visions students to valuable educational resources and opportunities, even as in-person enrichment opportunities became limited in 2020. “We partner with vendors who […]

Visions Gives Back

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Last month, Human Resources organized an Adopt A Student program to give back to our community. Nine students were randomly selected to receive gifts to uplift their spirits. Gift and monetary donations were provided by teachers and staff. HR collected information about each of the students and went shopping while other staff helped wrap the […]

Student Spotlight: Racetrack Superstar Drives At His Own Speed

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Doug chose online high school at Visions so he could earn his diploma while having time to focus on his passion for RC car racing

Student Spotlight: Racetrack Superstar Drives At His Own Speed

The cars Doug L. drives might be a little smaller than normal, but his skill behind the wheel on the racetrack always gets him to the finish line. A talented RC car racer, Doug’s hobby has garnered him national success and attention from more seasoned RC enthusiasts. 

So when it came time to look for a high school, he needed to find a school that would allow him to pursue his passion and pair him with a teacher that understands his goals. And that’s exactly what he found with Visions teacher Sandra Trunzo. 

“She’s amazing,” says Doug. “Super easy to talk to and if I need help, I just have to reach out.” 

As part of the Independent Study Academy, Doug works with his teacher to learn at his own pace while allowing time to chase his passions. As a competitive 10-scale RC car racer, Doug’s hobby takes him all over the country for competitions. His skill on the track has earned him a number of sponsorships from RC car manufacturers and retailers such as Team Associate, J Concepts, and 1Up Racing. 

To accommodate this busy schedule, Doug works ahead to complete his studies while traveling to his next race, learning at his own pace with the support of his teacher. With the help of his teacher and counseling staff, Doug has managed to stay ahead of his studies while racing ahead of his competition!

The Final Lap

After four years of hard work, Doug is on track to be part of our graduating Class of 2022! After school, he first plans on going to a community college to “figure himself out” before deciding what he wants to do next. Whatever his path holds for him, Doug intends to continue to chase his love of racing, either as a pro RC car racer or as an R&D engineer working to make the next generation of racers ever faster. Looking back on his high school experience, Doug thanks his teacher for giving him the freedom and flexibility to go after the things he loved. 

“I really got the freedom to improve,” Doug says. “In racing and in academic life.” 

Happy Holidays from Superintendent Olmos

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Dear Visions students, staff, and families: As Winter Break quickly approaches, I can’t help but think about how our lives have drastically changed over the last two years. And yet I am deeply encouraged by how we’ve navigated the challenges and ever-evolving realities with diligence, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change. We have come […]

Student Spotlight: Independent Study Offers Student a Personalized Path

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Visions’ Independent Study online high school program provided Isabella a flexible learning plan that took her personal interests into account.

Student Spotlight: Independent Study Offers Student A Personalized Path

Isabella Paul is no stranger to Visions In Education. From first to sixth grade, her family worked with the Home School Academy staff to provide her a personalized education. But after leaving Visions and spending two years in more traditional schools, Isabella felt like her needs weren’t being met so she enrolled in the Independent Study Academy.

“I wasn’t really learning anything on Zoom with my other school,” says Isabella. “I had been with Visions before. I knew that they would help me learn more but also give me flexibility and the convenience of doing school in my own home which is a plus!”

Visions’ Independent Study Academy welcomed Isabella back to our school and provided a flexible learning plan that took her personal interests into account. Isabella was able to work with her teacher, Tatyana Lazukova, to learn at her own pace while allowing her to pursue her interests, including baking, exercising, and spending time with her loved ones.

“For me, doing independent study is super beneficial,” says Isabella. “I love getting to do schoolwork around my schedule so that I can do the things that I enjoy but also still get school done.”

This includes participating in career planning activities like the Career Technical Education Patient Care Pathways program which gives students access to college courses designed to prepare them for a career in the medical field. This program also includes in-person first aid training and certifications.

“I feel like I am learning a lot about what the healthcare field may include and I am learning about lots of different careers!”

Looking Ahead

With the support of her teacher, Isabella is on track to graduate early and begin pursuing her post-secondary education. While she isn’t sure what the future holds for her specifically, her time in the Healthcare Pathway program has warmed her to a career in the medical field. Isabella thanks her teachers for helping her achieve her goals and instill in her the skills necessary to succeed outside of school.

“Independent Study is really nice because you can do everything on your own and you can choose some of your classes which makes it more personalized,” says Isabella. “Thank you for this opportunity!”

Student Spotlight Bonus

Hear directly from Isabella to learn more about her experience in Visions’ Independent Study Academy.

Students Learn to Save Lives

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On November 3 and 4, twenty one high school students gathered in Carmichael to learn skills that might one day save someone’s life.  Led by Independent Study Principal Shannon Alward and Teacher on Special Assignment Nancy Ortner, Visions students learned the fundamentals of CPR and basic first aid as part of Visions’ Career Technical Education […]

Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship Receives Generous Donation

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Thanks to the efforts of former Visions employee Peter Breton and the members of the Sober Riders Motorcycle Club, Sacramento Chapter, the Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship received a $500 donation on behalf of the club. Peter, who retired from Visions in 2019, helped to raise funds for the scholarship by selling raffle tickets to Visions […]