It’s time for pre-algebra math in Kendra Feinstein’s classroom. Students look over their texts and begin writing questions on the board.
But instead of pencils and notebook paper, Feinstein’s classroom consists of keyboards and chat rooms. Feinstein, a Gig Harbor native, teaches for the Insight School of Washington, an online public high school, and was recently recognized as teacher of the year for her hard work.
Insight School of Washington serves high school students who are residents of Washington State. The program is accredited and operates through Quillayute Valley School District in Forks.
Feinstein, who is also the math department head for Insight School of Washington, said she was “surprised and flattered” when she got news of her award.
“I work very hard and spend all of my time thinking about my students and how I can help them,” Feinstein said. “I like to think they are getting a very good education with me and Insight.”
Feinstein joined Insight School three years ago after the birth of her daughter. She’d been teaching for eight years and didn’t want to give up her teaching passion. Online teaching was the best way to meet her personal and professional goals.
Being an online teacher is not much different than a traditional “brick and mortar” (traditional) teacher, she said. Feinstein chats with her students using a headset and works out math problems using a digital pen to mark up her e-blackboard.
Technology in the classroom is a definite plus for the high school generation.
“Students are very familiar (with the technology) and tend to grasp it easier than the teachers,” Feinstein said. “I think they do find it very easy, they’ve grown up with this, it’s their lifestyle.”
Feinstein holds online office hours to answer any curriculum questions.
“I’m finding I’m developing deeper relationships with my online students,” Feinstein said.
When she taught in a traditional school, Feinstein found that she didn’t have a lot of time to get to know students on a personal level. They were running between classes and when the bell rang, they were gone, she said.
Through Insight school, however, she finds that students are really open about curriculum and personal matters. She even knows how many pets some of them own.
However, teaching online doesn’t come without challenges.
When you’re not standing right above them, it’s hard to gauge comprehension, Feinstein said. Students must also be self-motivated to complete studies since many of them are going to school from home.
Insight School students come from all walks of life.
Some are actors who can’t squeeze in time for traditional high school. Others are professional athletes training for the Olympics.
And whether it’s a teen mother who has to stay at home with her child or a student who wasn’t excelling in the public schools, there is a place for all of them at Insight, Feinstein added.
Jeff Bush, executive director of Insight School of Washington, said that Feinstein has the complete package when it comes to being a successful teacher.
“When I met her, the thing I noticed about her is she has a positive outlook of what she’s doing,” Bush said. “She has the ability to talk with students and build relationships and holds a huge amount of accountability. Kids want to do well for her.”
Bush said teacher of the year candidates must go above and beyond expectations. Student performance and curriculum data is also taken into account.
Insight has e-campuses all across the nation. The Washington school has about 85 teachers who instruct courses in all subject areas, including AP courses.
“A lot of students who didn’t excel in a public school — now they are. It’s so neat to see,” Feinstein said. “I feel like I’m giving them a chance at education that they didn’t have before.”
The Insight School senior class graduates June 28 with a high school diploma and the school even has a prom for its students.
Feinstein has one hope for students who leave the online high school.
“I hope they learn how to learn and still continue to learn after graduation,” she said.
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