Indiana Digital Learning School: A Digital Initiative by Union School Corporation; Empowering Students to Succeed in Their Academics

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Indiana Digital Learning School A Digital
Initiative by Union School Corporation
Empowering Students to Succeed in Their Academics
A pioneer of virtual education, incorporated in
2017, Indiana Digital Learning School (INDLS) has
been embracing an innovative education strategy
to provide learners with the best education.
Acknowledging each child's unique brilliance with
a rigorous and exciting K-12 curriculum, INDLS is
poised to lead online learning to new heights
under the fine guidance of Elizabeth Sliger. As
educators and administrators, we are aware that
customized learning experiences enable students
to realize their full potential and that
excellent education can be provided online. At
INDLS, we take pride in establishing a daily
routine and consistencycomplete with guidance,
support, and connectionsthat allow students to
enjoy learning throughout their education
journeys," said Elizabeth Sliger, Executive
Director of INDLS. Vision and Mission The vision
of INDLS is to strive to individualize education
for each student while providing a well-
developed and routine school day that promotes
student success in education and life. In order
to fulfill their vision, the team works hard to
educate each student with a personalized
approach. INDLS is continuously working on its
mission to educate all students to be productive,
responsible citizens and life-long learners who
work to their full potential. Dynamic Educator
and Business Leader Elizabeth Sliger is a
passionate educator specializing in instructional
design and framework for online education. She is
a well-known educator and seasoned professional
with years of expertise, serving as the head of
the Indiana Digital Learning School. She
completed her master's degree at the esteemed
American College of Education.
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As an educator, Elizabeth has navigated a
personal and professional path to understanding
school choice and the value that virtual
education provides to students and families.
Despite living in a highly respected school
district, her son wasn't learning in a typical
classroom she understood this as both his mother
and a teacher. She began looking at virtual
teaching jobs because she wanted to support her
son's academic career with more time at home. The
experience was eye-opening. She was soon
introduced to cutting-edge technology that
enabled her to engage with children and share her
passion for literature, and at each interaction,
her students continued to show her exactly why
virtual education was the best option for them.
By finding virtual education, she found her
professional purpose. In a short period of time,
Elizabeth worked to move up in her position,
rising from administrative assistant to Executive
Director of Indiana Digital Learning
School. Technology in the Online Classroom INDLS
partners with the Stride K12 technology platform
to provide an effortless learning environment for
their students. The K12 Zone, a virtual
playground where students congregate, mingle,
attend video presentations and field trips, and
socialize in a secure and supervised atmosphere,
is something they are particularly proud of
adding this year. INDLS students have thoroughly
enjoyed the virtually simulated experiences,
which encompassed taking part in career fairs,
virtually seeing zoos and art galleries,
attending tutoring sessions, learning buddy
systems, and much more. Taking Learning to the
Next Level INDLS makes sure to align their
curriculum with the Indiana Employability
Standards, which start in kindergarten. Their
teachers work across all grade levels to expose
and explore careers and soft skills that students
can leverage when they transition out of
secondary school. Students that engage in virtual
learning often acquire a unique ability to
customize and direct their education, offering
them a competitive edge in the context of higher
education. In addition, students in high school
who participate in INDLS have the opportunity to
obtain several certificates in industries with
high demand and up to two years of college credit
before graduating. By carefully planning their
post-graduation pathways, INDLS makes sure that
kids are aware of their possibilities and
equipped to succeed after high school. Battling
the Challenges Along the Way Virtual schools
often struggle with unfounded negative
perceptions within the education space, with
challenges in gaining respect compared to
brick-and-mortar learning institutions. Indiana's
virtual schools need legislation that safeguards
and promotes choice in education options.
Enacting laws is crucial to ensuring equal
opportunity and promoting creativity in
education. These laws empower parents to make
educated decisions about their children's
education, whether it be through traditional
public schools, charter schools, private schools,
homeschooling, or other alternatives. Lawmakers
can do this by allowing families to choose the
educational environment that best meets their
children's needs and by recognizing the diversity
of learning styles and preferences within
communities. Additionally, encouraging variety in
education options produce healthy rivalry amongst
educators, which pushes improvements in general
accountability and quality. Ultimately,
legislation that protects and supports choice in
education options in Indiana is vital for
fostering and maintaining a dynamic educational
landscape that prioritizes student success and
fulfillment. Legacy and Purpose "The ultimate
testament of my tenure at INDLS will surely be
the impact that our school will have on others
and that my passion will encourage students and
colleagues to consider how they live out their
own purpose each day, said Sliger. "As the saying
goes, we should not force square pegs into a
round holes. We should consider changing the
environment to fit the child." The Future of
Online Learning
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Moving forward, INDLS will remain dedicated to
its goal of advancing personalized learning and
technology while upholding a regular and reliable
system of student support. Teachers and students
now have more opportunities to connect and learn
online because of ongoing investments in the
virtual environment. Although the technologies
may change, the value of these connections won't.
Teachers have the magic, and they will be here
supporting students for decades upon
decades. Thank You.