Meet Debbie Bond: Inspiring Curiosity, One Virtual Lab at a Time

When 6th-grade science teacher Debbie Bond logs in to class each morning at Carolus Online Academy (COA), her students aren’t just joining another virtual class—they’re stepping into a world where curiosity grows right alongside the plants in her backyard garden.

“I want my kids to believe they’re in a real classroom,” Ms. Bond says. “Not pretend but really feel it.”

Her teaching space is lined with scientific posters, weather charts, and periodic tables. “I could use a background,” she laughs, “but I’d rather be able to point to the actual poster and say, ‘See where oxygen is on the periodic table?’ It makes it feel real.”

A Hands-On Approach to Science Class Online

Even in a virtual environment, Ms. Bond ensures her students experience science with all their senses. Recently, her 6th-grade students experimented with the states of matter using nothing more than a baggie, a few ice cubes, and a bowl of hot water.

“They could see all three states of matter right there in the bag,” she explains. “Then we talked about equilibrium and why the temperature changes. It’s so much more engaging than just looking at a slide.”

Her students also explore the world outside their screens – literally. Ms. Bond often takes her class out onto her patio, where she’s built a pollinator garden and small hydroponic planter. “I have cameras on my hummingbird feeder and weather station,” she says. “I’m setting up time-lapse videos so my students can watch the plants grow and see how weather affects them.”

Many of her materials come from partnerships with Clemson University and the USDA, including a special LDE microscope that lets students observe soil, leaves, or even bugs up close – right from their computer screens. “I can project it live,” she says. “It’s like they’re peering through the microscope with me.”

A Champion for Students – of All Abilities

Ms. Bond’s passion for accessible education is personal. An advocate for students with learning differences, she proudly shares that she is dyslexic.

“I was one of those kids no one knew how to deal with,” she says. “Now, I want my students to have the tools and support I didn’t have.”

Ms. Bond is Orton-Gillingham trained, a tool used to teach children how to read, and she uses structured literacy approaches in her classroom. “Even in science, reading is part of everything we do,” she explains. “If a student struggles with decoding, I walk them through the same strategies that helped me.”

She also prioritizes flexibility for students with ADHD or anxiety. “If a kid needs to walk around during class, that’s fine,” she says. “As long as they’re learning, that’s what matters.”

Her classroom motto? “Focus on mastery, not perfection.”

“I tell my students, it’s not about getting it right the first time,” she says. “It’s about learning the technique that will make you successful later on.”

From NASA to the Backyard Garden

Ms. Bond’s curiosity and dedication to STEM have taken her far. In 2023, she was the only South Carolina educator who was invited to NASA for a week-long collaboration focused on making space science more accessible for students with disabilities.

“We walked through Mission Control, saw astronaut training pools, and even stood beside the space shuttle,” she recalls. “It was incredible.”

That same curiosity drives her classroom projects today. Her students have studied mealworm development with the USDA, brainstormed experiments for the International Space Station, and participated in pollinator research through Clemson’s ‘Bee the Cause’ Project.

Her next idea? Helping students start their own mini gardens at home through a DHEC grant. “I’d love to send them planters and seeds so they can grow right alongside me,” she says.

A Career of Dedication and Resilience

With 27 years of experience, Ms. Bond has taught everything from middle school science to PhD-level statistics. Before joining Carolus Online Academy, she worked in the classroom, but the transition to virtual teaching has been life-changing – for both her and her students.

“When I moved online, my stress just melted away,” she says. “My health improved, my anxiety disappeared, and I finally had the balance I needed.”

Her two service dogs, Apollo and Creed, play a big role in that wellness. “They’re trained medical alert dogs,” she explains. “Creed’s still in training – his full name is Sir Artemis Creed – so I get both the moon missions and the Rocky reference.” She laughs. “They’ve been with me in the classroom for years, and now they’re here keeping me company every day.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists

For Ms. Bond, science isn’t just a subject – it’s a mindset.

“I tell my students, science is everywhere. It’s in your kitchen, your garden, even the air you breathe,” she says. “You don’t need a lab coat to be a scientist; you just need curiosity.”

That spirit, along with her dedication to accessibility and innovation, earned her recognition as a finalist in the 2024 STEM Educator of the Year awards in South Carolina.

“I’m just grateful,” she says. “If I can make one student feel seen, confident, and excited to learn, that’s my reward.”

Is Online Learning Right for Your Family?

At Carolus Online Academy (COA), students experience a tuition-free online education designed for their individual learning needs. Serving K-12th-grade students in South Carolina, COA offers a college and career-focused curriculum, passionate teachers, and a variety of social and extracurricular opportunities.

Since its founding in 2023, COA has empowered students through flexible learning and personalized support. As a K12-powered school, COA benefits from 25 years of leadership in online education through K12, a Stride, Inc. portfolio brand. Learn more here.

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