Class of 2022 senior, Kai McCutcheon had plans to become a welder but like many high schoolers his age, he changed course. With guidance from a strong network of teachers and staff members, Kai has identified a new passion: working with kids. Once he graduates this spring, he will dive into the workforce to do just that. 

From Reading, PA, Jennifer Manta enrolled at PA Distance in the fall of 2016 when she was in middle school. As accomplished tennis players, Jennifer and her sister have a chance to attend class and learn alongside her peers while improving their tennis skills to win championships. As she prepares for her upcoming graduation, Jennifer looks back on what made her time here successful. From excelling in class and skipping a grade, to attending in-person field trips, to having time to play her favorite sport, Jennifer thrived at PA Distance.

Class of 2022 senior Isabella Rios (known as “Bella), from Philadelphia, PA, is thrilled to be graduating this June. After recently being accepted into Temple University in Philadelphia, Bella is looking forward to beginning there this fall. She admits that the Career Education & Work program helped her decide on a major based on her interests. 

Layla Paduani Gomez, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, enrolled at PA Distance Learning Charter School in 2020. She specifically sought out a cyber school option so that she could better pursue her basketball and track and field career. 

PA Distance Business Technology Teacher, Ms. Azzaro was recently named as a finalist for the 2nd Annual eDynamic Learning Career Compass Awards! The Career Compass Award honors teachers who use the eDynamic Learning curriculum to help guide students in their career discovery, keep them engaged, and prepare them for their future.

“I feel excited and honored to have been chosen as a finalist for this award,” Ms. Azzaro said. “I've taught eDynamics courses for eight years. Over this time, I've not only seen the eDynamics curriculum evolve, but my approach to teaching the material has also evolved.”

PA Distance uses eDynamics for various high school courses, including our Hospitality & Tourism elective class that Ms. Azzaro teaches. In this course, she introduces students to one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Students learn about key hospitality issues, the development, and management of tourist locations, event planning, marketing, and environmental issues related to leisure and travel. 

Ms. Azzaro was chosen as a Career Compass Teacher Award Finalist after submitting information about how she uses eDynamics to teach her Hospitality & Tourism course.

“I feel successful when I provide my students with quality content in an effective format for them to learn. eDynamics Learning supports my success by providing the freedom and flexibility to use the content, framework, and resources in a way that best supports my students,” Ms. Azzaro added.

As a finalist, Ms. Azzaro will be recognized at the eDynamic Learning Career Compass Award virtual ceremony on Saturday, May 21st, 2022. A professional development event will take place before and after the ceremony for school districts who want to learn more about the eDynamic Learning and Knowledge Matters curriculum for in-class, blended learning, online learning, or best practices for utilizing digital curriculum and resources.

Alongside Hospitality and Tourism, applicants from across the country were chosen from each of the following 16 categories: