For Tajya, PA Virtual Charter School has been part of her family’s story for years. After growing up homeschooled and becoming part of one of PA Virtual’s first graduating classes, Tajya is now experiencing cyber education from a new perspective: as a parent and Learning Coach to her seven-year-old daughter, Cassie.

This is Cassie’s second year at PA Virtual, and Tajya says enrolling her daughter has been a goal of hers for years.

 

A Personal Connection to Cyber Education

Having experienced both homeschooling and cyber education herself, Tajya knew she wanted her daughters to have the flexibility that online learning can provide.

 

“Cyber school was always better to me because you can do things partially at your own pace,” she explains.

 

But what stood out to Tajya about PA Virtual was the support. Unlike homeschooling, where families may feel like they are managing everything on their own, PA Virtual provides students with teachers and a structured learning environment while still giving families flexibility.

 

“You have support and your child actually has a teacher as well as you that you can work with,” Tajya says.

For Tajya, that combination of flexibility, structure, and support made PA Virtual the right choice for her family.

 

What Does a Learning Coach Do?

As Cassie’s Learning Coach, Tajya plays an important role in helping her daughter stay on track and succeed in school. But she also appreciates that being a Learning Coach doesn't mean doing everything alone.

 

At PA Virtual, a Learning Coach can be a parent or family member. Their role is to provide support, help students stay organized and on track, and work alongside their child’s teachers.

 

For Tajya’s family, that support can come from more than one person.

Her husband helps care for their younger daughter, Jasmine, while Tajya works with Cassie on schoolwork. If Tajya needs to work or has another responsibility, her husband or sister can step in and help.

 

“It doesn't have to be a parent,” Tajya explains. “It can be if I have to work or do something, my husband can step in or my sister can step in.”

This flexibility allows Cassie to have someone available to support her learning while giving the family the ability to work together as a team.

 

Staying Connected With Teachers

Communication is another important part of Tajya’s experience as a Learning Coach.

 

She and Cassie’s teachers stay in regular communication through weekly updates and, when needed, daily messages. Teachers can also communicate with families through texts or other messaging platforms when important information needs to be shared.

 

For Tajya, knowing that help is available when she needs it makes a big difference.

“If you need anything, there's multiple numbers to call and they get right back to you,” she says. “You can connect with your teacher or your support coordinator pretty much anytime that you need to.”

 

That connection helps Tajya feel like she isn't navigating cyber school alone.

 

Set Up for Success

One of the things Tajya appreciates most about being a PA Virtual parent is the support families receive from the school.

 

“If I was to say one thing about being a parent at the school, it's, they set you up for success with your child,” she says.

From receiving important information to having the supplies needed for the school year, Tajya says PA Virtual helps families feel prepared.

 

Her experience as both a former student and current parent has given her a unique perspective on the school community. Sixteen years after graduating from PA Virtual, she continues to stay connected with people she met during her time as a student.

“We're still friends,” she says.

Now, she gets to create a new chapter in her PA Virtual story alongside her daughters.

 

For Tajya, being a Learning Coach isn't just about helping her daughter complete schoolwork. It's about being part of her education, working alongside her teachers, and giving her the support she needs to thrive.

 

And after experiencing PA Virtual as a student herself, Tajya is excited to share that experience with the next generation of her family.