Helping Your Student
Thrive
A Learning Coach Guide
Let's go!
What Is a Learning Coach?
What Is A Learning Coach? The Difference Between Homeschool And Online School Learning Coach Responsibilities Your Time Committment A Sneak Peek Learning At Connections Academy Common Challenges What To Expect Family Spotlight Taking the Next Step
passionate about their student’s learning patient involved organized, with the ability to create and follow a schedule good communicators naturally curious and excited to learn themselves
Typically a parent or caregiver, a Learning Coach is your student’s cheerleader, mentor, and guide through the online school day. While every Learning Coach has a different style and approach, usually those who find the role most rewarding—and manageable—are those who are:
At Connections Academy, Learning Coaches are never alone. With the support of specially-trained teachers, dynamic technology and a best-in-class curriculum, we’re in it together to make sure students thrive.
Start here
Next
Close
Click here to hear from Washington Connections Academy Principal, Erik Albertine
While there are several similarities between homeschool and online school like increased parent involvement and learning primarily at home, there are also some key differences:
The Difference Between Homeschool and Online School
Teaching
Learning
Students work with caring, certified teachers who are specially trained to engage students in online learning; a curriculum is provided, and students complete their work in our Pearson Online Classroom. A parent, caretaker, or other dedicated adult will typically act as a Learning Coach to their student, which takes a significant commitment depending on your child’s grade level and ability to learn independently.
Homeschool parents often research and develop their own curriculum or purchase an existing one, but must still map out a learning schedule and prepare lesson plans for the year. Families that select an online public school like Connections Academy don't pay for tuition, texts, or our carefully planned curriculum. These are provided by the school district, state education board, or other authorizing organization. Students enrolled in Connections Academy schools are required to take part in annual standardized state testing.
At Connections Academy-supported online schools, caretakers don’t do it alone!
Connections Academy students learn from a high-quality curriculum carefully designed to meet state standards.
What Is A Learning Coach? The Difference Between Homeschool And Online School Learning Coach Responsibilities Your Time Committment A Sneak Peek Family Spotlight Learning At Connections Academy Common Challenges What To Expect Additional Resources
Learning Coach Responsibilities
High School:
Communicate with teachers and school staff often.
Read Learning Coach and student-directed internal email communications (called WebMail) and respond to messages daily. Speak to teachers and school staff by phone; return calls. Read announcements on the Learning Coach home page, student home page, and on the Schoolhouse and section message boards.
Provide Learning Space and Supplies
Create a dedicated, quiet and easily monitored workspace for your student. Provide the technology necessary to complete daily lessons (reliable Internet service, computer, headset, scanner or printer).* Preview lessons to provide any out-of-the-ordinary supplies.
*Please contact your school directly for more information on any technology they may provide.
Manage Your Student’s Schedule
Preview the student’s planner and personal calendars. Help your student create a schedule to ensure assigned lessons are completed each week. If necessary, make a plan to catch up on overdue lessons.
Ensure Attendance
Record the number of hours their student works each day. Oversee the completion of your student’s daily lessons. Ensure your student participates in LiveLesson® sessions.
Monitor Grades
Monitor progress and grades through the student Grade Book. Frequently check lesson assessment scores to confirm their student’s level of understanding and take appropriate steps if a student isn’t successful.
Middle School:
Elementary School:
Support Comprehension and Encourage Participation
Use the Coaching Guide found within lessons to guide your students. Keep an eye on your student’s comprehension of lesson concepts. Communicate with the teacher if your student doesn’t understand concepts.
Determine your student’s ability to work independently. You may guide their students through parts or all of the lessons. Keep an eye on your student’s comprehension of lesson concepts. Encourage your student to contact teachers for additional help, if needed.
Encourage your student to work independently. In less frequent circumstances, you may guide them through parts of their lessons. Keep an eye on your student’s comprehension of lesson concepts. Encourage them to contact teachers for additional help, if needed.
Being a Learning Coach is an exciting opportunity that many of our parents cherish, but it does take a significant amount of time and energy. At Connections Academy, we know it’s important for potential Learning Coaches to have as much information as possible about their upcoming commitment, so they can prepare for the process. As a Learning Coach, you will:
Your Time Committment
The amount of Learning Coach time and level of effort varies depending on your student’s age and ability to work independently. Students who don’t work effectively in an independent learning environment, or students with attention deficits, learning differences, or behavioral concerns, may require more active Learning Coach time.
Learning Coaches of elementary students generally spend more time working with their students than those of middle or high school students.
Click here to hear from Texas Connections Academy Assistant Principal, Jana Andrews
1600px x 900px
When Shannon's daughter, Rachel, needed a change, they took control of her education by making the switch to online school. As a working parent, Shannon knew becoming her daughter’s Learning Coach would be a challenge. See how Connections Academy provided her with the tools she needed to help Rachel thrive.
A sneak peek
We’ve found that students work best when they have a dedicated workspace to learn from every day.
Supporting your student’s education by becoming their Learning Coach is a big responsibility—and we're here to support you.
Being your child’s Learning Coach is an amazing experience and opportunity to play a key role in their growth.
How it works
support at your fingertips
your student's workspace
learning at connections academy
Read More
The engine that makes learning possible, the Online Classroom is a user-friendly online education management system that connects students with their lessons, teachers, and a wide range of resources. It’s accessible with an internet connection 24 hours a day.
Students and parents can connect with teachers and our support staff on a regular basis to make sure they stay on track—either by phone or through Webmail, our secure, internal messaging system.
In addition to regular online coursework, LiveLesson sessions are real-time online learning sessions where teachers, students, and peers meet in the Online Classroom. Teachers engage students with activities and demonstrations to reinforce challenging concepts. While it’s preferred that students participate in these in real time, they are recorded and available for students to watch later too.
Learn via Pearson Online Classroom
Participate in LiveLesson Sessions
Connect with Teachers
This comprehensive website provides resources to help you navigate the Online Classroom, assist your student with tasks, understand the learning process, and more!
Learning Coach Central
Our Getting Started in Virtual School webinars provide Learning Coaches with valuable information and tips like a tour of Learning Coach Central, getting to know the Online Classroom, and establishing your child’s daily routine. Our Adding to Your Learning Coach Toolbox webinars provide useful information and cover topics that include increasing motivation, understanding the learning process, and helping your student improve subject-area skills.
Learning Coach Success Series:
Below are some thought-starters to get you thinking about the elements you may want to include in your student’s dedicated work area. Try to create a space that is:
Computer Printer Headphones and webcam Notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, and paper Organized schedule of LiveLesson sessions Artwork, drawings, photos, or other items that inspire creativity and learning
Quiet: As much as possible, create a comfortable place that is limited from distraction. Accessible: Instead of studying in their room, it may be best for your student to complete lessons in a common area, which allows you check in throughout the day to monitor progress. Motivational: Whether your student chooses to hang up motivational quotes or prefers a more minimalist space, create an area that encourages productivity and is beneficial to your student’s ability to learn. Flexible: It can be difficult to work from the exact same physical space every day. Encourage your student to move around to keep their mind fresh, whether that means completing assignments on the living room floor or laying out flashcards on the kitchen table.
Key Items to Include in Your Student’s Learning Space:
Once your student is enrolled, you’ll have access to:
Common CHallenges for New Learning Coaches
To avoid burnout, it’s important to establish a routine that allows you to fulfill your role as your child’s Learning Coach as well as balance your other personal and professional responsibilities. As you get started, we recommend that you:
One key to helping your student succeed in online school is establishing routines. Here are a few strategies successful online school families have used to create manageable routines:
Again, every family is different, and what works for yours may not work for another’s. Try some of the systems below to see if they keep you—and your student—organized!
Take advantage of online school’s flexible scheduling. Does your child focus better in the morning? Afternoon? After a snack or free time? Try a few different methods to find out. Keep your child focused with to-do lists. Without a defined task, many students become distracted. Depending on the age of your student, make short lists of focused tasks they can complete independently. Reach out when you need to. Our teachers are here for you—and can often offer fresh insight or new methods to try. In addition, staying connected with other Connections Academy families can help you feel a sense of support and community, as well as provide additional resources.
As with any significant change, transitioning to online learning can take time to adjust—for both students and their Learning Coaches. But we’re here for you! Below are some of the most common challenges our families face during their first few months at Connections Academy, as well as helpful tips and tricks for facing them, head-on.
AND HOW TO TACKLE THEM!
ADJUSTING TO THE NEW TIME COMMITTMENT
While it may seem difficult to balance your other responsibilities (both personal and professional) with your role as a Learning Coach, the key to doing so is patience and flexibility. While you figure out what works best for your family during the first few months, we suggest trying to:
STAYING ORGANIZED
Keep an outline of all course lessons. Staying up to date on what your student is studying can create excitement for what’s next—and offer the opportunity to prepare for when challenging topics or concepts are ahead. Use a color-coded system. Color code each subject so the folders, notebooks, and whatever else you may use correlate to each subject for easy organization. Make weekly assignment sheets. This way you can prepare for every project, quiz, or test that your student might encounter. Then break everything down into chunks so they can focus on small amounts of information at a time.
KEEPING STUDENTS ON TRACK
Set a schedule—and stick to it. Online learning offers a high level of flexibility, but students still need routine and structure to succeed. Designate certain times as learning times. Schedule a day in advance. Make sure every learning day is planned the night before (or earlier!) so your children know exactly what they will be working on ahead of time. Prioritization and time management are key for online learning success, especially when students are young or easily distracted.
AVOIDING BURNOUT
Take breaks Scheduling breaks can help your child retain more knowledge and stay more engaged. It also gives you the opportunity to accomplish other tasks or relax a bit! Get outside Stepping outdoors can be a refresher. It's a change of pace from sitting at your child’s learning space all day and can help you both reenergize for the day. Incorporate independent learning Depending on your child’s age, there are plenty of learning activities they can do on their own. Schedule them throughout the day to give both of you a bit of space, and time to step away and tackle your own to-do list. Practice self-care It’s important to take care of yourself while you’re helping your child learn. Breaks, trips outdoors, reading, and even rewards can help you as much as they help your child.
4
3
2
1
What to Expect
Below are a few things you should try to complete during your first week and semester at Connections Academy. While not comprehensive, these lists can help you determine whether you’re on the right track!
First Week To-Do List
Connect with your student's teachers
Complete orientation
Complete paperwork
Help your student plan their week
Explore your student's planner
First Semester To-Do List
Have regular check-ins with your student to see where they feel confident and where they may need a little extra help
Monitor progress
Download a pdf
Explore additional resources in Learning Coach Central
Click here to hear from MIssouri Connections School Leader, Lynsie Hunt
Connections Academy families come in all shapes and sizes!
Family Spotlight
Read Ava's story
View Nora's story
Read Kaia's story
View Hannah's story
Read Kalimah's story
View Kimora and Kimani's story
Read Neil's story
check links add "view" to some
Read Leon's story
Taking the Next Step
Explore the Resource Hub
Visit
Ready to chat?
We know that transitioning to a new school can seem daunting—especially if this is your first time experiencing at-home or online learning. You’ve got this! We’re committed to helping you, every step of the way.