GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education

Georgia Cyber Academy
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 Welcome to GCA Unmuted, the podcast where we share the stories and strategies that show how Georgia Cyber Academy makes online learning work. 

  1. 1d ago

    Spotlighting Student Voice with Ashley Born: GCA’s Science & Social Studies Fair

    Inquiry gives students the opportunity to move beyond simply learning information and begin asking questions, investigating ideas, and sharing what they discover. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, Ashley Born, K–12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator and Science & Social Studies Fair Lead at Georgia Cyber Academy, shares how GCA brings that kind of student-driven learning to life through its annual fair. The conversation explores how students choose topics, conduct research, develop projects, and present their thinking in a virtual-school setting. Ashley also discusses how the process builds critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, and academic ownership while giving students across grade levels a chance to pursue their own interests. This episode offers a closer look at how virtual schools can create meaningful opportunities for inquiry, creativity, and student voice beyond everyday classroom instruction. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Spotlighting Student Voice with Ashley Born: GCA’s Science & Social Studies Fair

  2. Sep 3

    Media in Motion with Aaron Bell: Storytelling Through GCA’s Video Team

    In a virtual school, video does more than document what happens. It helps students, staff, and families see the people and experiences that make up a school community spread across an entire state. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, Aaron Bell, Media Production Specialist at Georgia Cyber Academy, shares what goes into telling GCA’s stories through video. From choosing the right story to collaborating with students and staff, Aaron offers a behind-the-scenes look at media production in a virtual school. The conversation explores how authentic moments are captured when a school does not share one physical campus, how video helps create connection across distance, and what it takes to keep school media clear, engaging, and human. Aaron also reflects on the workflows and creative decisions behind the finished videos audiences see. This episode offers a closer look at how visual storytelling helps document a virtual school and connect the people within it. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Media in Motion with Aaron Bell: Storytelling Through GCA’s Video Team

  3. Aug 27

    Technology That Connects Us with Missy Lee: Inside GCA’s Digital Infrastructure

    In a virtual school, technology is more than a tool. It is the infrastructure that makes teaching, learning, communication, and connection possible every day. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, Missy Lee, Assistant Director of Instructional Technology at Georgia Cyber Academy, takes us behind the scenes of the systems that power a statewide virtual school. She shares what it takes to keep students and staff connected while balancing reliability, support, and the introduction of new technology. The conversation explores how instructional technology works alongside academic teams, how GCA supports students, families, and staff when technology challenges arise, and why selecting the right tools is about more than functionality. Missy also reflects on the role technology leadership plays in creating a strong virtual learning experience. This episode offers a closer look at the digital infrastructure behind virtual education and the people and systems that keep learning moving. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Technology That Connects Us with Missy Lee: Inside GCA’s Digital Infrastructure

  4. Aug 20

    Showing Up Online with Crystal Amey: Virtual Attendance Systems That Work

    Attendance in a virtual school is about more than logging in. It is about staying connected to learning and recognizing when a student may need additional support. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, Crystal Amey, Family Engagement Liaison Supervisor at Georgia Cyber Academy, shares how attendance works in a statewide virtual school and how her team partners with families to help students stay engaged. The conversation explores how GCA identifies signs of disengagement, how Family Engagement Liaisons support students and families, and how the school balances clear expectations with an understanding of the challenges families may face. Crystal also explains how data, communication, and consistent follow-up help turn attendance from a compliance measure into an opportunity for connection and support. This episode offers a practical look at the systems behind virtual attendance and what it takes to help students consistently show up for learning. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Showing Up Online with Crystal Amey: Virtual Attendance Systems That Work

  5. Aug 13

    From First Click to Graduation with Amber Rhodes: Enrollment & Records in a Virtual School

    Every student’s journey through school depends on accurate enrollment and records, even though much of that work happens behind the scenes. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, Amber Rhodes, District Registrar at Georgia Cyber Academy, takes us inside the systems that support students from their first application through graduation. She shares what enrollment and records look like in a statewide virtual school and why accuracy, communication, and careful coordination matter at every stage. The conversation explores how GCA manages enrollment at scale, keeps student records accurate over time, and works alongside families, counselors, graduation coaches, and other teams across the school. Amber also discusses common questions families have about enrollment and what it takes to manage a high volume of records without losing sight of the individual student behind each one. This episode offers a closer look at one of the essential systems that keeps a virtual school running and supports students throughout their GCA journey. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    From First Click to Graduation with Amber Rhodes: Enrollment & Records in a Virtual School

  6. May 14

    Building Student Community with Michelle Gilyard: Clubs and Competitions in a Virtual School

    School is about more than academics. It’s also about connection, belonging, and opportunities to grow outside the classroom. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Michelle Gilyard, Family School Partnership Coordinator for Leadership and Service at Georgia Cyber Academy. Michelle shares how clubs and competitions create meaningful opportunities for students to connect, lead, and build community in a fully virtual environment. The conversation explores how students get involved in clubs, what participation looks like online, and how competitions bring energy and engagement across a statewide student body. Michelle also reflects on the impact these experiences have on student confidence, leadership development, and social connection. This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools create a complete student experience—both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Building Student Community with Michelle Gilyard: Clubs and Competitions in a Virtual School

  7. May 7

    Building Trust with Families with Shannon Ready: Partnering with Parents in a Virtual School

    Strong family partnerships are essential in any school. In a virtual environment, they are foundational. Clear communication, trust, and consistent support help families feel confident and connected, which directly impacts student success. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Shannon Ready, Family Engagement Liaison at Georgia Cyber Academy. Shannon shares how she works with families to build trust, strengthen communication, and support parents as active partners in their child’s education. The conversation explores how families are supported when they are new to virtual learning, how difficult conversations are navigated with care, and how systems are designed to keep communication consistent across a large, online school. Shannon also reflects on common misconceptions about virtual schooling and what helps families feel confident in the model. This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools build strong partnerships between school and home. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Building Trust with Families with Shannon Ready: Partnering with Parents in a Virtual School

  8. Apr 30

    Preparing Students for the Real World with Tricia McCoy and Erica Butts: Work-Based Learning in a Virtual School

    Connecting learning to real-world experience helps students build confidence, develop practical skills, and clarify their future paths. Work-based learning creates opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real jobs and responsibilities while still in school. In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Tricia McCoy and Erica Butts of Georgia Cyber Academy. They share how work-based learning operates in a virtual environment and how students gain meaningful, hands-on experience that prepares them for life after graduation. The conversation explores how students access work-based learning opportunities, how coordinators support both students and employers, and how these experiences build skills, direction, and independence. Tricia and Erica also reflect on how virtual schooling can expand access to real-world learning and address common assumptions about whether hands-on experiences are possible in an online setting. This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond high school. Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy. Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at:  https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmuted You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

    Preparing Students for the Real World with Tricia McCoy and Erica Butts: Work-Based Learning in a Virtual School
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 Welcome to GCA Unmuted, the podcast where we share the stories and strategies that show how Georgia Cyber Academy makes online learning work. 

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