For over five years, I have worked in a variety of capacities with K¹². I’ve had the opportunity to work with students and teachers in virtual academies and charter schools from around the country and the world. As we embark on another school year, I am seeing yet another group of students benefitting from this program. I am now working with students in Florida who are designated “hospital homebound” (HH). There are myriad reasons why a student may have this designation: severe food allergies, cancer treatments, anxiety disorders, debilitating migraines, etc. Whatever the reason for having this designation, the students are not able to attend the local brick and mortar schools. The time in the HH program may be short-term or long-term, depending on the reason for the designation.

After a month of working with these students, I am taken by what a great fit K¹² is for them. They may not be able to physically attend school, but they are actively participating in a program with teachers and others students. We are able to modify their pacing and individualize each of their academic plans to meet their specific needs and to ensure each student’s success. We are also able to modify when these kids work during the day to best meet their needs. In the short time we have been working together, many of these students and families have really touched my heart. Through medications, hospital runs, and periods of sickness – at the end of the day, each of these kids is a student who wants to learn, to have friends, and to be a part of something. I’m talking to kids who are taking their laptops with them to the hospital to work, and we are conferencing online there. I hold weekly homeroom get-togethers where they can chat with me and with other students in the program. I think I look forward to the homeroom meetings as much as the students do!

Sometimes I feel like my students and families are teaching me as much as I am teaching them. They teach me and remind me each day to cherish healthy times, because you never know what the future holds, and you should never take health for granted. They are also teaching me how to deal with unfortunate circumstances with courage and laughter. One parent told me that it took them some time to realize that it’s okay to be sick and happy at the same time. They teach me that people can deal with adversity in their lives while maintaining a positive attitude. I am so happy this program is available for these students, and that I am able to be a part of it. I keep a pretty good outlook on life, but there is nothing like a good daily dose of perspective. When I have to schedule a 3rd grader’s conference around his cancer treatment, it makes worrying about my leaking dishwasher seem painfully trivial.

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