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Our Story

Our teachers and staff are here to assist families and students with their academic, social, and emotional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We’re excited to serve our students, community, and region by offering innovative educational experiences, and by continuing to learn and grow alongside our students.

We look forward to supporting and encouraging our students in their learning journeys. By coaching them to be academically successful, guiding them to be productive citizens, and leading them towards meaningful interactions with their peers and their community, we provide our students with lifelong skills.

We believe that the smallest efforts can make the biggest difference, and we believe in always going the extra mile for our students.

The SJSD Virtual Academy provides high-quality learning opportunities, regardless of where our students are located. The process is simple:

Enroll through your local school district
Access courses
Engage with teachers
Learn anytime, anywhere
Monitor progress

MOCAP Accreditation

We’re aligned with Missouri Learning Standards and that has been reviewed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. All courses are delivered by certified Missouri educators. External evaluation shows we have not only met, but exceeded the standards for high quality course design.

“My son loved his Virtual Academy teacher and I loved the high quality lessons. But one of the greatest things about Virtual Academy is the flexible schedule. We can be done working by lunch or have classes at the park if we want! We are so lucky to have this option!”

Aaron Skaith, parent of Owen (kindergarten)

Elementary Educators

Jennifer Schoeberl

4th & 5th Grade

JenniferSchoeberl@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Garret McDowell

K-12 Physical Education

GarretMcDowell@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Laura Wagers

K-5 Music

LauraWagers@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Jennifer Hale

K-2 Art

JenniferHale@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Emilea Davis

K, 1st, 2nd Grade

EmileaDavis@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Andrea Snapp

3rd Grade

AndreaSnapp@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Middle School Educators

Andrea Sturgis

6-8 Reading & ELA

AndreaSturgis@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Carla Johnson

6-8 Math & Science

CarlaJohnson@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Garret McDowell

K-12 Physical Education/Health

GarretMcDowell@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Bridget Zabel

Hillyard

BridgetZabel@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Victoria Zieger

Social Studies

VictoriaZieger@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Shelly Gibson

Spanish

ShellyGibson@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Melissa Morrison

Agricultural Science

MelissaMorrison@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Amanda Saxton

Project Lead The Way

AmandaSaxton@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Ebeny Smith

Business

EbenySmith@sjsd.k12.mo.us

High School Educators

Calyn Cook

English Language Arts

CalynCook@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Tina Shaginaw

Social Studies

TinaShaginaw@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Victoria Zieger

Social Studies

VictoriaZieger@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Samantha Herrington

Mathematics

SamanthaHerrington@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Gwen Funk

Science/Credit Recovery

GwenFunk@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Garret McDowell

K-12 Physical Education/Health

GarretMcDowell@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Lorie Brunner

Family Foods

LorieBrunner@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Denise Dibella

French

DeniseDibella@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Colin Drown

Physics

ColinDrown@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Amelia Jordan

Spanish

AmeliaJordan@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Daniel Kahre

Agricultural Science

DanielKahre@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Lori Newman

Business

LoriNewman@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Annie Roseberry

Physical Education

AnnieRoseberry@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Ebeny Smith

Business

EbenySmith@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Specialized Support

Andrea Snapp

K-12 Special Education

AndreaSnapp@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Robert Dunlap

K-12 Special Education

RobertDunlap@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Deb Roberts

Sign Language Interpreter

DebRoberts@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Alison Byrd

Gifted and Talented

AlisonByrd@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Counselors

Lenny Hihath

Elementary (grades K-5)

LennyHihath@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Renee Green

Secondary (Last Name A-K)

ReneeGreen@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Stephen Kibler

Secondary
(Last Name L-Z)

StephenKibler@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Educational Support

Claire Gerhardt

Administrative Assistant

ClaireGerhardt@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Aaron Swett

Technology Support

AaronSwett@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Robert Nash

Curriculum Advisor
Instructional Technology Specialist

robertnash@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Administration

Dr. Ashly McGinnis

K-12

AshlyMcGinnis@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Dr. Lara Gilpin

Grades 6-12

LaraGilpin@sjsd.k12.mo.us

Bethany Clark

Grades K-5

BethanyClark@sjsd.k12.mo.us

.