Staff writer
Ty Simons, a sophomore at Centre High School, became a star on Tuesday. Jody Small, a writer and producer from the New York City metropolitan area, and Gabriel Diamond, a videographer and producer from Los Angeles, visited CHS to highlight Simons’ participation in the Kansas Online Learning Program.
Simons is known as a “hybrid” student, taking classes online and also onsite. He said he is taking Algebra II through the virtual program because it didn’t fit into his regular school schedule.
He uses his laptop to study the subject independently during his free hour at school and also at his home.
Small and Diamond interviewed and videotaped Simons going to school, stopping at his locker, working on his laptop, and studying at his home in Lincolnville.
They earlier videotaped a virtual school student at Taos, N.M., who had considered dropping out of school. They were planning to visit another student at State College, Pa., who had experienced a lot of bullying in school and was thriving in virtual school.
Small said she and Diamond were hired to highlight the partnership between the Pearson Foundation and the National Network of Digital Schools. According to its website, the Pearson Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes literacy, learning, and great teaching.
The new video being created is one of several video news releases and marketing pieces that Jody Small Productions has produced in recent years, featuring the latest online and web-based technology products.