Wyoming "e" Academy of Virtual Education
A distance education program offered by Fremont County School District #21, Fort Washakie High School
Minimum qualifications
Qualifications of our instructors are clear and comprehensive. All FWCHS and WeAVE teachers must have a Wyoming teaching certificate with certification in the subject area they teach. In addition we require our teachers to complete courses in on-line instruction and design. Teachers must also demonstrate adequate experience in teaching or learning using on-line/ virtual course platforms. We also require new WeAVE teachers to participate in a series of trainings related to on-line and distance education instruction throughout their first semester teaching.
We have also suggested that Wyoming’s PTSB consider issuing a specific on-line ed/ virtual ed/ distance ed/ specific endorsement. Part of the endorsement requires should require the courses we offer through WeAVE for teachers- or equivalent courses from another accredited institution. If this endorsement was offered through PTSB- we would likely require it.
Professional development
All of the professional development opportunities afforded to FCSD #21 teachers are extended to our full-time on-site teachers (sometimes required). All FWCHS and WeAVE teachers must attend bi-annual virtual/ on-line conferences/ summits hosted by WeAVE. Our plan for professional development and support is clear and comprehensive.
Performance expectations
See Off-Site/On-line Teacher Handbook
Method(s) of evaluation
Full-time WeAVE/ FWCHS teachers are employed by FWCHS through FCSD #21. They are contracted annually (similar to any FTE teaching position in the state). These teachers follow a more traditional school calendar year and are required to work on-site under the supervision of a certified HS principal. Formal evaluation are conducted twice a year for new teachers, once a year for teachers whom have been teaching for FWCHS They teach students face-to face and on-line. They also serve as department heads in their respective content areas. They help guide and coordinate off-site teachers, teaching on-line in their content area.
Part-time off-site WeAVE teachers are directly supervised by their department heads and by the FWCHS principal, informal evaluation is ongoing. Off-site teachers paid a stipend and are contracted per 6 month terms commencing in July and ending in January. More formal evaluations occur at the end of each term, before they are permitted to sign on for another term. Detailed expectations for FWCHS off-site teachers are set forth in a handbook developed specifically for them.
Students also have an opportunity to assess the quality of their teachers and the quality of the courses. There are mid-course and final student surveys in every WeAVE course. Collective results are shared with teachers every term.