VTVLC Administrator Profile
Get to Know VTVLC Director Greg Runyan
Greg Runyan, VTVLC Director, just celebrated his one year anniversary of taking on the post. “I get the privilege of leading a great team providing online learning opportunities for students across Vermont,” Runyan said.
During his first year, Runyan worked to establish new community norms for the VTVLC staff that he hopes staff will continue to honor into the next year. During Runyan’s first year, VTVLC successfully launched it’s full-time K-8 program and expanded its collaborative diploma program. Runyan says, as he reflects upon the upcoming year, his second with VTVLC, that he’s looking forward to a return to normalcy.
“Last year, we were still coming out of the chaos of the pandemic,” Runyan said. “This year, I feel that this is very much in the rear-view mirror, and we can now look forward to creating exciting new learning experiences for students across Vermont.”
Prior to becoming an administrator, Runyan was a classroom math and computer science teacher for over a decade, but was always interested in taking leadership roles within schools. For Runyan, helming a virtual school, particularly, is all about providing opportunity, even as K-12 virtual learning is still in its early stages.
“Virtual learning provides educational opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available to students,” Runyan said. “When you are not bound by the traditional constraints of buses, buildings, and bells, the possibilities are limitless.”
Runyan believes that, with its extensive course catalog, VTVLC can expand the learning horizon for any Vermont student. Runyan also highlighted VTVLC’s crop of dedicated teachers, all of which hold an Online Teaching Specialist Endorsement.
“We have a dedicated group of Vermont licensed teachers who bring their love of their subject matter to students across the state,” Runyan said.
Greg Runyan |
|
Role |
VTVLC Director |
Years at VTVLC |
1 |
Content Area Before Becoming an Administrator |
Mathematics, Computer Science |
Virtual learning is distinct from brick-and-mortar learning, Runyan says, because of the onus placed on the student in a virtual environment.
“You have to show up and engage,” Runyan said. “In a traditional classroom, a teacher can tap you on the shoulder to remind you to focus. With online learning, teachers and support staff can reach out, but it is the student’s responsibility to engage.”
Runyan’s advice to students? Connecting with your teachers and building a schedule for consistently logging in and completing work is vital.
Virtual learning provides educational opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available to students,” Runyan said. “When you are not bound by the traditional constraints of buses, buildings, and bells, the possibilities are limitless.
“Completing an online course requires dedication and discipline,” Runyan said. “It’s not like a traditional school in which you show up and follow a bell schedule, going from one class to another.”
To Runyan, online learning requires executive functioning skills, which the VTVLC student support team can help to support.
“These are skills that will help in post-secondary education and the workplace,” Runyan said.
On the technology side, Runyan is grateful to have some new systems in place at VTVLC. Last year, VTVLC invested in a new Student Information System, Genius, which Runyan says makes registration, student progress tracking, and communication easier for guidance counselors and other stakeholders.
As ever, VTVLC has a technology team that can help support students, parents, and counselors through all their interactions with VTVLC.
“Technology is as instrumental to virtual learning as HVAC is to brick-and-mortar schools,” Runyan said. “Just as you need a comfortable environment to physically learn, online learning requires systems that work smoothly and are supported well.”
In the upcoming school year, Runyan is looking forward to expanding VTVLC further and ringing in an important milestone: the 10th Anniversary of Act 77, which was the initiative that put Flexbile Pathways in place.
“VTVLC is proud to be part of Flexible Pathways, providing online learning opportunities for students,” Runyan said.
Another exciting event ahead is the OBLC conference, which will take place in March. During the conference, VTVLC will explore online learning and other Flexible Pathways that are available to Vermont students.
Overall, Runyan looks forward to continuing to spread the word about VTVLC. We will be active on social media, getting the word out about all the great things our teachers and staff do,” Runyan said. “I would love to see more schools, districts, and educational leaders become familiar with VTVLC and how we provide student learning opportunities.”