Colorado Virtual Academy Teacher Named Online Teacher of the Year

NORTHGLENN, Colo., May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recognized outstanding teachers this week, including Deborah Sudbeck, a Longmont resident and elementary teacher at Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA), a statewide online public school serving students in grades K through 12.

Each year, the CDE recognizes teachers and counselors who demonstrate excellence in teaching and commitment to 21st century learning. This year, Sudbeck is one of the four teachers to receive the 2012 Online Teacher of the Year in the elementary school category.

"It's an honor to be chosen out of the many wonderful teachers at COVA and the larger online school community in Colorado. I'm grateful for the personal recognition and pleased for the awareness this brings to COVA and online education," said Sudbeck. "Education is not one-size-fits all, and I've seen how a more custom approach delivered through COVA's online model and curriculum guided by highly qualified, licensed teachers can help students achieve success."

Sudbeck was selected for this award due to her ability to improve student performance through innovative teaching practices. She helped increase student scores in literacy and math at COVA, with 85 percent of her students now on target or above target for mastering curriculum.

For the past seven years, Sudbeck has been teaching elementary students in reading, writing, science, math, art and history at COVA. Prior to becoming a member of the COVA team, she spent 12 years teaching at brick and mortar public schools in Indiana, Virginia and Colorado. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University.

"We are proud to have excellent teachers at COVA like Deb who are part of our team," said COVA Head of School, Heidi Heineke-Magri. "Her commitment to education, and serving her COVA students and families, has helped many succeed."

The 2012 Online Teachers of the Year will be recognized at the Colorado State Board of Education during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7 -11) on Wednesday, May 9. During this week, students, families and school communities honor educators and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to children's lives.

About COVA
COVA is a full-time, online public charter school authorized by the Adams 12 Five Star School District, and serves students in grades K through 12. As part of the Colorado public school system, COVA is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the award-winning curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about COVA, visit www.k12.com/cova.

SOURCE Colorado Virtual Academy