August 16, 2006
VALLEY, Wash. - Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) announced its administrative team today. With a wealth of experience in public, private, and home-schooling education, these individuals bring unique knowledge and expertise to CVA as it opens its virtual doors for the first time this school year.
Dr. Mark Selle and Steve McCullough will lead a growing network of schools in Washington in a unique approach to virtual education. Lori Larsen serves in the area of public relations and enrollment coordination, while Vicki Kircher serves as principal of CVA in grades K-8. Selle holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Washington State University and has worked as both a teacher and administrator in public and private education for the past 22 years. Selle has one child enrolled part-time in a parent partnership program and two children full-time in the traditional classroom program in the Valley School District where he serves as superintendent. Selle is the founder and chief administrator of CVA.
"We're excited to bring quality online education to all students in the state," Selle said, adding that Columbia Virtual Academy's unique approach provides for the resident school district to enroll the student if it chooses to join the network
McCullough brings a strong background and experience from the private sector where he applied his undergraduate degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Economics. He then pursued his Master's degree with teaching credentials and later administration. He has served as principal in the Curlew School District and now serves as superintendent there. McCullough and his wife were committed to home-based education prior to his career change and his school-aged children currently attend the Curlew Parent Partnership program where his wife provides most of the instruction with support from Curlew certified teachers.
"What a great opportunity for students across Washington," McCullough said. "We're especially excited to reach out, not only to K-8 students, but also to high school students who want to tailor their education to unique needs and circumstances." In addition to serving in senior leadership roles, McCullough is also principal of the CVA high school program.
Both holding Master's degrees, Larsen and Kircher are home-schooling mothers. Larsen works part-time as a consultant in the areas of public relations and enrollment coordination for CVA, while Kircher serves as principal for the K-8 program.
The Columbia Virtual Academy offers a seamless online education to kindergarten through 12th grade students free of charge to the family. While the "virtual" aspect and the "networking" with other schools and districts is new, CVA has grown within successful parent partnership programs in all three participating school districts. Currently enrollment in these programs has reached nearly 250 with new applications arriving daily.
How the Columbia Virtual Academy works
The Columbia Virtual Academy is a network of schools that provides a free public virtual education to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. While the program for kindergartners and 1st graders does not begin with online education, it prepares them for the full online program in grades 2-12.
K-8 students receive a computer and internet connection if needed, full 24/7 year-round access to the online curriculum, and access to $400 to support local art, music, and physical education opportunities as well as books, learning materials, and field trips that support the customized learning plan. The high school program offers high school credits and a diploma in addition to the computer and internet access if needed.
While the parent may do most of the teaching, each student is assigned a certified teacher to provide help and guidance as a personalized learning consultant. Students, teachers, and parents keep in touch mostly by email, although personal conferences may be arranged by phone or face to face. Once students join Columbia through the participating school of their choice, they may choose from a variety of social and academic outings offered by experienced teachers and supported by parents who often attend as well.
Since CVA is a network of public schools, there is no cost to enroll. CVA holds web seminars and live meetings in various locations regularly. See www.ColumbiaVirtualAcademy.org for more information.
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“I wish we had this when my kids were growing up. It’s not a way of skipping school. Rather, it supports the choice of very committed parents. Sometimes the easy solution just doesn’t feel right. The road less traveled may be better.”
