Sometimes all it takes is an extra push and a guiding hand to foster success. Janie Ulmer has given students that shove and provided the guiding hand to the students participating in La Porte High School’s Virtual Learning Academy.
In the words of Ulmer, “The V.L.A Academy provides expanded online educational opportunities to students who may need a course that is not offered at LPHS, who may be in need of skill development or college preparation, or a student who has not been successful in traditional classes and needs an online course for credit recovery.”
In just one short year, she has transformed the program and her students have already earned over 100 credits toward graduation.
Ulmer was born, raised and educated in La Porte. Her education in La Porte was extremely valuable and was the stepping stone to her college education at Valparaiso University, where she studied mathematics. After graduating, she did not immediately return to La Porte.
“I wanted to work with kids and make a difference," she said. "After college, I taught in Indianapolis for a few years. This is where I learned my craft. My students had difficult life experiences that were often overwhelming. However, I still needed to help them achieve. It was hard work, and I had to be very creative in my lessons, but watching students be successful and achieve was worth it.”
This is the same mentality she carried when she learned of a math teacher position at Kesling Middle School and decided it was time to come home. For her La Porte offers many irresistible positives. She could raise her children near their grandparents, be near many great locations and enjoy the community-oriented atmosphere of La Porte.
Her venture as a teacher at Kesling Middle School was a joy.
“The staff became like family,” Ulmer said. “I loved teaching middle school kids; they made me laugh every day. However, after 20 years of teaching middle school mathematics, it was time for a change. I was hired as the Virtual Learning Coordinator to run the brand new Virtual Learning Academy, currently located at La Porte High School. The administration and staff have been very supportive as we created the academy.”
With help from the computer assistant Angela Klimczak and remediation specialist Allison Burke, Ulmer has created an Academy that is flourishing. The setup of the program is accessible, efficient and effective.
“We are able to address student needs, provide support and facilitate learning so students can achieve," she said. "We work with students individually to address weak areas and provide support for success. Achievement is our number one goal. The VLA provides organizational and academic study skills to help students as they transition back to traditional classes.”
Every program has a success story, and Ulmer takes no time before gushing about her favorite memory and the success story of the V.L.A. Frank Thomas was a student in a tough academic situation at the start of the year. He was short on credits and unsure how to get back on track to graduate on time. With the help of Ulmer and the V.L.A., Thomas began working harder, keeping his academics organized, and gaining confidence.
“Frank’s success carried over to other courses and he is now on track to graduate sooner than he ever expected,” Ulmer said. “He became responsible for his own learning and is now a role model for others in our program.”
Ulmer expects the program to continue its growth and produce more success students like Thomas’s. She also hopes the program will evolve when needed to suit each individual student’s needs.
“Success is possible and in their control and I love being a part of that,” Ulmer said. “The future is bright for our Virtual Learning Academy.”
In her spare time, Ulmer continues to focus on others. Her main goal is to be an excellent mother to her two children, Zachary, a Chemical Engineering student at Purdue, and Kate, a freshman at La Porte High School.
“You will often find me in the bleachers at Slicer gym, working on home improvement projects or if I am very lucky, enjoying a lunch with friends,” she said.
<p> In the words of Ulmer, “The V.L.A Academy provides expanded online educational opportunities to students who may need a course that is not offered at LPHS, who may be in need of skill development or college preparation, or a student who has not been successful in traditional classes and needs an online course for credit recovery.” </p>
<p> In just one short year, she has transformed the program and her students have already earned over 100 credits toward graduation. </p>
<p> Ulmer was born, raised and educated in La Porte. Her education in La Porte was extremely valuable and was the stepping stone to her college education at Valparaiso University, where she studied mathematics. After graduating, she did not immediately return to La Porte.
<p> “I wanted to work with kids and make a difference. After college, I taught in Indianapolis for a few years. This is where I learned my craft. My students had difficult life experiences that were often overwhelming. However, I still needed to help them achieve. It was hard work, and I had to be very creative in my lessons, but watching students be successful and achieve was worth it.” </p>
<p> This is the same mentality she carried when she learned of a math teacher position at Kesling Middle School and decided it was time to come home. For her La Porte offers many irresistible positives. She could raise her children near their grandparents, be near many great locations and enjoy the community-oriented atmosphere of La Porte. </p>
<p> Her venture as a teacher at Kesling Middle School was a joy. </p>
<p> “The staff became like family,” Ulmer said. “I loved teaching middle school kids; they made me laugh every day. However, after 20 years of teaching middle school mathematics, it was time for a change. I was hired as the Virtual Learning Coordinator to run the brand new Virtual Learning Academy, currently located at La Porte High School. The administration and staff have been very supportive as we created the academy.” </p>
<p> With help from the computer assistant Angela Klimczak and remediation specialist Allison Burke, Ulmer has created an Academy that is flourishing. The setup of the program is accessible, efficient and effective. </p>
<p> “We are able to address student needs, provide support and facilitate learning so students can achieve. We work with students individually to address weak areas and provide support for success. Achievement is our number one goal. The VLA provides organizational and academic study skills to help students as they transition back to traditional classes.” </p>
<p> Every program has a success story, and Ulmer takes no time before gushing about her favorite memory and the success story of the V.L.A. Frank Thomas was a student in a tough academic situation at the start of the year. He was short on credits and unsure how to get back on track to graduate on time. With the help of Ulmer and the V.L.A., Thomas began working harder, keeping his academics organized, and gaining confidence. </p>
<p> “Frank’s success carried over to other courses and he is now on track to graduate sooner than he ever expected,” Ulmer said. “He became responsible for his own learning and is now a role model for others in our program.” </p>
<p> Ulmer expects the program to continue its growth and produce more success students like Thomas’s. She also hopes the program will evolve when needed to suit each individual student’s needs. </p>
<p> “Success is possible and in their control and I love being a part of that,” Ulmer said. “The future is bright for our Virtual Learning Academy.” </p>
<p> In her spare time, Ulmer continues to focus on others. Her main goal is to be an excellent mother to her two children, Zachary, a Chemical Engineering student at Purdue, and Kate, a freshman at La Porte High School. </p>
<p> “You will often find me in the bleachers at Slicer gym, working on home improvement projects or if I am very lucky, enjoying a lunch with friends.” </p>