A Passion for Teaching and Making a Magical Difference with Ms. Colbert

At Cascade Virtual Academy, passionate educators shape the future of students by providing engaging, tailored instruction. One such standout educator is Heather Colbert, whose dedication to literacy, dyslexia support, and innovative teaching has made a lasting impact.

Heather’s Journey to Cascade Virtual Academy

Heather Colbert has been in the virtual education space since 2011. She joined Cascade Virtual Academy in 2021 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. With 14 years of experience in online education, Ms. Colbert teaches first grade and has served as the K-5 Lead and Mentor teacher, guiding students and supporting fellow educators.

Championing Dyslexia Support and the Orton-Gillingham Approach

A pivotal moment in her career came when she attended a dyslexia conference in 2018. Initially skeptical, she found herself nearly in tears within the first few hours as she realized how much she had yet to learn. As she deepened her understanding, she recognized the critical need for structured phonics instruction—not just for students with dyslexia, but for all learners.

Ms. Colbert discovered that one in five individuals struggle with dyslexia, a statistic that became personal when she recognized signs in her own child. This revelation led her to advocate for Orton-Gillingham (OG), a structured literacy approach designed to help struggling readers.

Determined to bring effective reading instruction to virtual learning, she reverse-engineered the in-person Orton-Gillingham Phonics First curriculum into a virtual format. She developed interactive tools like phonics cards, blending boards, and even creative adaptations like drawing letters on stuffed animals to make learning hands-on, even in an online environment.

She spearheaded small group instruction using Orton-Gillingham training methods and gathered compelling data to support its effectiveness. Over the past six years, Heather has not only taught these methods to her students but has also trained other teachers, ensuring that more students benefit from structured literacy intervention.

Ms. Colbert says: “My favorite part about teaching is seeing students light up when they work hard and finally understand a concept. Here is a screenshot of the Phonics First intervention data – I can’t wait to see the next 6-week jump they will make!”

Creating Magic with the K-5 Disney Club

Beyond her expertise in literacy, Ms. Colbert brings joy and creativity to Cascade Virtual Academy’s students through her K-5 Disney Club. Every month, she transforms virtual learning into an interactive, magical and playful experience, dressing as beloved Disney characters and guiding students on exciting adventures.

Ms. Colbert exclaims happily: ”Disney Club allows me to model fun and silliness, while learning and exploring fun and engaging topics.”

Students engage in themed activities, explore different Disney stories, and even participate in a Disney Passport program, where they track their journey through different characters and settings.

With rotating Disney Princess hosts and fresh themes each month, the Disney Club is a highlight for Cascade Virtual Academy’s youngest learners, fostering a love for storytelling and imagination.

A Lasting Impact

Ms. Colbert’s passion for teaching, literacy advocacy, and student engagement has touched countless lives at Cascade Virtual Academy and beyond. Whether through empowering students with dyslexia to become confident readers or bringing smiles through Disney-inspired fun, she continues to make a profound difference in virtual education.

Cascade Virtual Academy is honored to have such a dedicated and inspiring educator shaping the future of its students. Melissa Hausmann, Head of School, says: “Thank you, Heather, for your unwavering commitment to making learning accessible, effective, and magical!”

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