I’m delighted to have the opportunity to serve our Northwest clients in ID, UT, MT, WY, ND, SD, MN, and IA as the Instructional Client Representative. My role is to help the clients understand how our IST service system works and how we can best serve their needs. The day-to-day tasks of this job require communication via email, phone, and IM. Communication between me, the client, and our grand IST support services team is integral to serving our clients.
If you ever work with a client that you sense is confused about the services we offer or has shared a need, please let me or your Instructional Manager know and they can pass that information onto me. Clients can also create tickets on our online support services site for service need of any sort. The instructional tickets that I can fulfill will be sent my way. An example of an instructional need is an exemption request. If a client asks for exemption for a student, course, or school please ask them to enter a ticket in our system for the exemption. This way the exemption can be documented and communicated efficiently!
I’ve been an online instructor for the Electives Department in the technology/business area for the past 4 years. My background is in the AVENTA BB platform. I began working for AVENTA in July 2008 as a part-time MS science teacher. Prior to my online instruction experience I worked 13 years in brick and mortar environments as a Science Teacher, Technology Applications Teacher, and a Campus Instructional Technologist. I draw on my online education and traditional education background daily to help clients.
When I’m not online working I choose to be outside! I love the outdoors and any sport or hobby that gives me access to the wonderful outdoor venues in the mountains, on the water, golf courses, gardens, patios, you name it and I’m most happy with a great view and pleasant breeze to brighten my day. My fiancé’, his daughter, and our dogs are beloved companions that join me in my love for the outdoors.
Bridget Schleifer (light blue region)
Bridget Schleifer lives in Arizona with her 2 children and husband. She grew up in a very small town in Arizona where she now lives with her family. She enjoys crafting, traveling and spending time with family. Bridget received her bachelor’s from Northern Arizona University and her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She started with K12 in 2003 as a teacher with the Arizona Virtual Academy. During her time with AZVA, she served as lead teacher, master teacher and academic administrator. She joined the IST team (formally KEG) in 2008 and served as a teacher then, K8 Manager. As a new ICR, Bridget is supporting schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. She looks forward to working with our clients and Instructional Managers to ensure success. Having only worked with the K-8 K12 curriculum, there is a huge learning curve for Bridget. She learns something new every day and is thankful for her ICR mentors. Her first goal as ICR is to complete the Client Information Sheets so teachers have the information they need to support their students. She is confident that with good communication, hard work and a positive attitude; the clients and teachers will receive excellent support.
Leslie Smith (dark blue region)
I’m a Seattle, WA transplant from Phoenix, Arizona. I have been in Seattle now for 4 years and I LOVE it! My husband, Andy, and I have been married for 8 ½ years and we have two beautiful girls: Kaylee-6 and Khloe-almost 4. I have always worked in education, getting my BA at ASU and my MA in Educational Technology at NAU in Arizona. Before moving to Seattle, I worked as a brick and mortar teacher in Queen Creek, AZ for 5 ½ years. I have now been with K12/Aventa for a little over 2 years. I originally was hired as an English teacher, but moved into the ICR role in September 2011. It was a challenging transition at first, but with the help from my fantastic team, I quickly become more knowledgeable and comfortable in my new position and now I love it! When I’m not working, I enjoy exploring Washington with my family, volunteering at my daughter’s elementary school, reading, crafting, and I’m highly involved in Crossfit.
WA, OR, and AK are affectionately known as the “Rainy Region.” In this region, as people already know, WA is the beast. WA has special Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) laws that cause much confusion for myself, our clients, and the teachers. There are 3 basic items every school with an ALE program needs to receive funding from the state: 1) Weekly Two-way Communication, 2) Weekly Synchronous Instruction, and 3) Student Learning Plans (SLPs). It is very important for teachers in Washington to help students attending these schools successfully complete these 3 ALE requirements. There is often times “gray areas” in these laws, so if there is ever any questions, please let me know. OR and AK do not have as strict of laws, however times are changing and we are beginning to see many more states start to consider the same kind of changes WA has made. Teachers who may come in contact with clients questioning any state laws or requirements should contact me. Questions also pertaining to teacher certification or any student or mentor referrals should also come to me.