08/04/2015
Check out this article written by Marcy Sanford of Neighborhood News & Lifestyles:
thinkTank Virtual Learning Center Supports Your Child in Learning Through Tutoring and Educational Support
By Marcy Sanford
Located at 5512 Lutz Lake Fern Road, thinkTank Virtual Learning Center is unlike anything in the area – a stress-free, relaxed, supportive environment where middle and high school students can get one-on-one help from on-site teachers and tutors who really care about how your child learns. Whether your child would benefit from an alternative to traditional school, needs to make up a credit, or needs tutoring, thinkTank Virtual Learning Center provides the keys to maximize your child’s success while allowing them to work and collaborate with their friends and peers in a cozy, comfortable home-like atmosphere. The brainchild of local resident and business owner Carleen DeGolyer, thinkTank Virtual Learning Center came about after a stressful time in her child’s education.
Two years ago, Carleen’s son was having a very bad experience at a local middle school and she was not getting any help from the teachers or administration. He enjoyed playing sports after school but there was so much homework that he had to spend any free time outside of school or practice working on school assignments. The family didn’t have any time to spend together and enjoy each other’s company. The stress was getting to everyone.
“Sixth grade was awful for my son,” says Carleen. “We had high hopes for 7th grade and it started off great but after 20 days, they changed his entire schedule. The administration would not listen to me or even consider putting him back in some of his original classes. That day, I pulled him out of his school and enrolled him in Florida Virtual School. It was a great decision. The only thing lacking with the virtual classes was interaction with other students and the chance to collaborate with friends.”
Carleen also found it challenging to help her son in the classes that weren’t her strongest subjects and overseeing and coordinating everything while also working full time to run her own business.
So this mom and local business owner started looking for a place for her son, somewhere where he could get help from teachers and work with other students, and could not find anything like it anywhere close to the area. “I wanted a stress-free place where my son could get guidance and tutoring from experienced teachers and work on his school assignments. I was looking for a comfortable environment for him where he could learn in the way that works best for him and have room to hang out with other kids.”
Middle and high school students enrolled in Florida’s Virtual School program or home schooled will find that type of environment at thinkTank Virtual Learning Center. There are tables and chairs where students can gather to collaborate, but there also are comfy sofas where they can sit to complete their assignments. “Students can get up at any time to stretch their legs or walk around if they need a break while working on their assignments,” says Carleen. “We have a kitchen that is stocked with snacks and drinks and if they are hungry, they can get something to eat. I want this to feel like a second home to our students. We also have outdoor areas where they can take a break or work on assignments.”
At thinkTank Virtual Learning Center, the ratio is one teacher for every 4 students so your child can get the individualized attention he or she needs. Once your child is enrolled in Florida Virtual School classes, you add thinkTank as a secondary contact and they will monitor your child’s progress and set up a pace chart for them to follow so assignments are completed on time, while making sure your student understands the concepts and lessons. Florida Virtual School follows the same curriculum as Florida’s public schools and offers AP, honors, and college credit courses.
With virtual school, the students are in charge of the pace of their education. “Your child can take classes at his or her own pace through Florida’s virtual school,” says Carleen. “Students who come in and begin working on their classes around 9 a.m. are usually finished by 1 p.m., but we are open until 6 p.m. every evening so we can accommodate different students’ needs.”
Carleen shares, “One of the best parts about the virtual school for our family is that my son is learning at a pace that works for him, and when he is finished with his assignments for the day, he is done with school for the day and we are able to enjoy more time together as a family without the stress of homework or outside school assignments hanging over our heads.”
Tutoring & Make-Up Credits: The experienced teachers at thinkTank Virtual Learning Center also offers tutoring and help if your child needs to retake a class or make up a credit. “If your child needs to retake a class to improve their GPA or because they don’t understand the concepts of the subject, they can take the class through the Florida Virtual School and we can provide extra support for them,” says Carleen.
SAT/ACT Tutoring: “Currently we offer individual and small group classes for both the SAT and ACT,” says Carleen. “The classes are offered during the week and on weekends to accommodate all of our students’ schedules. The professor teaching our workshops has been tutoring for over 18 years and is very well versed in the new SAT.”
If you’ve found that traditional school is not working for your child or your child’s schedule is hectic with sports, dance or other activities, thinkTank Virtual Learning Center may be the answer. Imagine shorter school days, no homework, and weekends free. At thinkTank Virtual Learning Center they monitor your child’s progress daily with real communication between you and your child’s teacher. “Virtual school was a great choice for us,” says Carleen. “Not only did it improve my son’s education, it also improved our family life.”
thinkTank Virtual Learning Center is located at 5512 Lutz Lake Fern Road and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, log on to www.thinktankvlc.com or call 813-803-3110.
thinkTANK Virtual Learning Center
