Deanna Robbins is Not Your Average Math Teacher
Deanna Robbins is not a stereotypical math teacher. Equations on a chalkboard aren’t the sum of her classes. The Xceed Anywhere teacher is known to be energetic, outgoing and innovative. According to Robbins, she learned through her experiences to approach teaching this way.
“The more I can step away from the textbook and do hands-on lessons, the more engaged students are,” she said.
For example, the triangle inequality theorem is almost always on the SAT, so Robbins’ class did a hands-on lesson that engaged students and helped them figure it out and master it.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University, she was hired by Sylvan Learning Center when she was 21. Robbins quickly moved into the Director of Education position where she hired and trained all teachers, met with parents and oversaw students’ learning plans. She also gained experience working with children from different backgrounds, learning styles and levels.
Four-and-a-half years later, Robbins left Sylvan to raise her family, but continued working as a private tutor for sisters who were performers and not able to go to school on traditional schedules.
“The sisters were in a vertical curriculum program with the University of Miami Global, so I became very familiar with new ways of teaching and learning,” she noted.
Robbins, who also has a master’s degree in Education from the University of West Florida and a certification in Math, then spent four years in a brick-and-mortar school until an opportunity arose with Xceed Preparatory Virtual School.
“Sometimes, I miss the vibe and energy of an on-ground classroom, but online is really preparing the students to be independent learners. It teaches them study skills and organizational prep for college,” she said.
However, she loves how she can impact students in small group settings or in one-on-one sessions.
“Students learn in their own way, and at Xceed Preparatory Virtual School, it’s our culture to meet them where they are and help them get to the next level,” she said.
Although other schools and teachers struggled with remote learning over the last year, Robbins mastered Xceed’s virtual classroom, integrating tools that work best for her students.
“I use Miro, a whiteboard app, that enables us to work on a problem or project at the same time—just as if we were in a classroom, working on the whiteboard together,” Robbins explained. “Outside of class, we use the Remind app for student and family engagement and Google Voice, so students can reach me when they need help or have a question they’d like to work through.”
Not only is Xceed Preparatory Virtual School a great fit for Robbins’ professional background, but the model also works well for her personal life.
“As a mom, having the flexibility of working from home is very important to me,” remarked Robbins. “The Xceed Preparatory Virtual School model allows me to make a direct impact on students’ lives from all over the world, while being present in my own children’s lives. It’s a win-win environment for me.”
Interested in learning more about Xceed Preparatory Virtual School? Students can enroll at any time throughout the school year, and we welcome both American and international students. Learn more here.