December 2025 Stellar Spotlight
At Tri Star Virtual Schools, our teachers are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, they bring learning to life through creativity, compassion, and connection, helping students thrive in our virtual community. Stellar Spotlights are an opportunity to recognize the people who bring light into our online constellation.
This month, we’re excited to shine a light on one of our incredible educators, who’s been a rockstar this fall: Mrs. Fairchild, our 2nd and 3rd grade teacher here at Tri Star Virtual. From engaging her students with creative, inclusive activities to meeting each student with patience and understanding, she reminds us that teachers are what make a school, well, a school!
Meet Mrs. Fairchild!
Q: Why did you choose to teach in a virtual school rather than a traditional classroom?
A: I love the ability to work with students one-on-one to meet their individual needs. [Virtual school] gives a lot of flexibility to reach out to each student individually and do what is best for them.
Q: How do you structure your lesson plans to accommodate different learning styles and feel engaging in a virtual setting?
A: I love creating engaging lessons for all types of learners. I include videos, pictures, interactive slides, drawing activities, and games to spark the interest of all students. I also give space for each student to share and ask questions.
Q: How do you connect in-class concepts to skills applicable offline?
A: I always try to connect what we are learning in school to real life situations so students know why they are learning the information, and how it applies outside of school. For example, we’re learning about fractions right now, and I let my students know that I still use fractions all the time while baking, measuring objects, and sharing a pizza with friends. It makes the content feel relatable and motivates them.
Q: What’s a time you went above and beyond to support a student, and what did you learn from it?
A: I once had a student who had a hard and uncomfortable time at school. This student needed some extra motivation and direction to get started on assignments in Bright Thinker, so I worked with them in one-on-ones to build that relationship and trust. Now, this student has come a long way in understanding and focus during our one-on-one meetings. I learned that preparedness, patience, and understanding goes a long way!
Q: What is one lesson or class that stuck with you as a student, positive or negative? How does that guide your teaching today?
A: My high school band class has always stuck with me. Band is where I met some of my best friends and made lifelong memories. My teacher had a huge impact on my life by making learning fun. That inspired me to provide a safe and comfortable environment for my students, where they can make friends and pursue their dreams without fear.
Q: What’s one fun or unique activity you like to do with your students?
A: One activity my students and I love to do is "draw it" videos. We follow along with a video that teaches us how to draw something. My students are very creative and love to color so they always get excited when we watch these videos. Recently, we drew a turkey and my students were able to share their drawings.
Q: What’s something your students might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I am a huge Disney fan and used to work at Disney World in entertainment!
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to your students, what would it be?
A: Make sure to always check your "to do list" in Bright Thinker every morning so you know exactly what is expected of you that day. And always reach out to your teacher if you don't understand something or have a question. We’re here to help!
Why Teacher Spotlights Matter
In a virtual school setting, relationships are key. Getting to know our community — the educators and councilors who teach, guide, and inspire — builds trust and connection within our community. Just as Mrs. Fairchild’s patience brought out the best in her hesitant student, “preparedness, patience, and understanding goes a long way” toward student success.
Teacher spotlights allow families to see the people behind the screens, the heart that goes into each graded paper and live lesson. They remind us that even though our classrooms may be online, our teachers’ care, creativity, and commitment are very real.
By celebrating our teachers, we also celebrate the culture of learning and belonging that defines Tri Star Virtual.
Join Us in Celebrating Mrs. Fairchild!
We’re proud to have incredible educators who make a lasting impact every day. Join us in celebrating Mrs. Fairchild!
Stay tuned for next month’s Teacher Spotlight, where we’ll feature another amazing member of our team. And, as always, if you’re interested in joining our community, contact our team to learn more.
