VTVLC Teacher Profile
Get to Know the VTVLC K-8 Teachers: Elijah Church
Chuch (right) with daughter (left).
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?
A: I initially studied education at Eastern Michigan University, where I studied history and special education. I then continued studying with them and received my master’s in the Social Foundations of Education, a degree in education sociology. I focused graduate studies on peace education, restorative justice, alternative education, and critical pedagogy. After my preclinicals and a year of student teaching, I taught at a small school in Dearborn, MI, for my first year. I was then asked to work in an alternative program that served students from the greater Detroit area who had fallen through the cracks, in a school centered on restorative practices. In both of those schools, I taught social studies.
Eventually, life brought me to Vermont, where I taught special education in St. Albans. I also worked with their equity committee and completed the necessary classes to become certified in driver’s education. I became interested in online teaching as an alternative form of education and fell in love with the VTVLC program.
Q: What is your favorite thing about teaching for VTVLC?
A: My favorite thing about teaching at VTVLC is participating in the ongoing development of our rich community. The relationships and interactions with students, their families, and our staff are an amazing thing to experience; VTVLC is an authentic, dynamic, and positive environment that is incredibly supportive.
Q: What has been the highlight of your virtual classroom this year so far?
A: My classes are all creating individual projects for Vermont History Day. I love this project because it is a perfect opportunity to encourage and develop student voice and agency. It is exciting to see the students develop their topics and explore a kind of freedom that is relatively uncommon in school curriculums.
Q: What is different about teaching for VTVLC than teaching elsewhere? How do you approach that difference?
There is an inspiring spirit of innovation and community in our program. It is empowering to be given the chance to work in a naturally collaborative and evolving program. I approach teaching at VTVLC as a deep and engaging learning experience in which all stakeholders are active participants.
We provide a safe and nurturing environment to all our students; it is particularly moving to hear from our families and students how empowering the VTVLC program has been for them.
Q: What do you wish people knew about online learning or VTVLC’s full-time K-8 program?
I wish that people knew how much we connect as a community. We provide a safe and nurturing environment to all our students; it is particularly moving to hear from our families and students how empowering the VTVLC program has been for them. The relationships we form in our program help students reengage and reclaim their educations and their voices.