High School Math Teacher Thrives in Virtual Education

When Charmell Davis stepped away from the classroom after nearly a decade of teaching, she wasn’t sure what the future held. Now, she’s finishing her first year at Carolus Online Academy, reenergized, and earning the title, High School Teacher of the Year. 

“I actually left the classroom with no job lined up,” Ms. Davis recalls. “I just knew it was time to do something different.” 

After years in traditional school systems, she wasn’t walking away from teaching, she was walking toward a better fit. 

“It’s not that I don’t love teaching. I just knew I needed a change.” 

Embracing Virtual Learning 

Joining Carolus Online Academy for the 2024–25 school year was Ms. Davis’s first experience in a fully virtual setting, with both students and teachers working from home. 

“This has just been the best experience,” she says. “I’ve loved it so much.” 

Even more surprising? She was named Teacher of the Year in her very first year. 

“To be voted on by people I’d barely seen in person – that made it so much more special,” Ms. Davis says. “Most of the staff I only met during testing at the end of the school year. I was just being myself online, and it still made an impact.” 

Connecting with Students 

One of Ms. Davis’s favorite parts of virtual teaching is the opportunity to work with students from all across South Carolina, not just one district or town. 

“I get to connect with students I would’ve never met otherwise,” she says. “They’re spread out across the state, and we still form real relationships.” 

From sharing about their hometowns to finally meeting in person during end-of-year testing, Ms. Davis says the connections surprised her in the best way. 

“I was excited to see my students in May – that’s never happened before!” she laughs. “Usually by the end of the year, everyone’s drained. But I couldn’t wait to see them in person.” 

One student, she recalls, recognized her at a local Walmart. “He was like, ‘Wait – what are you doing here?’ They think we don’t have real lives outside of school!” she jokes. “But he told me, ‘You’ve got to come back and visit me all summer.’” 

Empowering Her Students 

For Ms. Davis, virtual learning is a lifeline for students whose needs aren’t always met in a traditional classroom – from those juggling jobs or health concerns to those who simply learn better at their own speed. 

“I’ve had students tell me, ‘I have to work to help pay rent,’ or ‘I’m moving every few weeks and don’t have stable housing,’” she shares. “Virtual school makes it possible for them to stay on track.” 

She also notes that high schoolers, in particular, benefit from having the ability to move around during lessons, access help on their own time, and revisit recorded content. 

“If they miss class or something doesn’t click, they can rewatch the lesson, pause it, rewind, and learn at their own pace. That’s huge.” 

Support, Structure and Trust 

Ms. Davis goes out of her way to be available to students, and they’ve noticed. 

From flexible due dates to one-on-one support sessions, she creates a virtual classroom built on mutual respect and trust. Both students and learning coaches message her during live classes, and she often hears from them even after hours. 

“They think we’re up at 2 AM checking email,” she laughs. “But I do make it a priority to respond quickly. I remember how much that meant to me as a student.” 

At the end of the year, Ms. Davis surveyed her students to ask how accessible she was. Their rating? A nearly perfect 4.8 out of 5. 

“I always let students grade me at the end of the year,” she says. “If I’m giving you a grade, you can give me one, too.” 

A Bright Future Ahead 

Ms. Davis is grateful for her path to virtual teaching and the opportunity to grow with a new school. 

“I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out great,” she says. “It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m excited to keep going.” 

Is Online Learning Right for You? 

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 at coa.k12.com. 

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