What Does Online Learning Really Look Like?

We Do This Every Day with Christina & Leah

Hi everyone – it’s Pat, and in this episode I had the chance to sit down with two of our incredible teachers, Christina Pavlovk and Leah Dreibelbis. We dug into what online learning actually looks like for kids here at the World of Learning Institute. Spoiler: it’s human, it’s connected, and it’s a lot more than just logging into a screen.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

* Daily routines that build connection. Christina walks us through a typical day for her K–6 students. It starts with Monday morning messages (sometimes featuring a fun “Where’s Ms. Pavlock?” photo challenge!) and daily morning meetings to check in on feelings, practice mindfulness, and set a positive tone. Live lessons, read-alouds, and even LEGO Club or Game Day give younger students structure and community.

* Flexibility for older learners. Leah explains how middle and high school students balance live classes with vocational training, jobs, and other commitments. She highlights WIN (What I Need) time - an open Zoom hour each day where students can pop in for help or just to chat. Sometimes kids stop by simply because they want to connect. That’s a big part of the magic.

* The role of relationships. Both teachers share stories that show how much trust matters. Christina talks about supporting families through tough moments by inviting them into her Zoom room to connect face-to-face. Leah describes being the “fallback person” for students, the one they know will always pick up the phone, send the message, or make the connection that keeps them on track.

* Family and community connections. Beyond teaching, Christina and Leah are leading new Learning Coach Connection times for parents and guardians—casual “coffee chats” to support families and share resources. They also tell fun stories about bumping into students at Target or TJ Maxx, proof that even though our classrooms are virtual, our teachers live in the same communities as our families.

* Why our model is different. Unlike “big box” online programs, our teachers aren’t hidden behind a screen. They’re calling, Zooming, and making sure each student and family feels seen. For some families, those connections are the reason they stay with us instead of leaving for a cyber school.

Takeaway

If you’ve ever wondered what a student’s day looks like in online learning, this episode shows you—it’s filled with structure, support, and human connection. At the World of Learning, our teachers aren’t just teaching content; they’re building relationships that help students and families thrive. You can read the whole blogpost about What Does Online Learning Look Like for Students at this link.

You can hear more about the number of touchpoints in this blogpost Virtual Classroom, Real Results or listen in to the podcast where Lauren highlights the impact of connection.