Learning to Launch with Dr. Felicia Lowman-Sikes: Virtual Teaching in the Primary Grades (K–2)

Kindergarten through second grade is where students begin learning how school works. They are building early literacy and math skills, learning routines, forming relationships, and developing confidence as learners. In a virtual setting, these early years require careful design and close partnership with families.In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Felicia, a primary grades teacher at Georgia Cyber Academy. Felicia shares what it looks like to help young students launch into school in a virtual environment and how instruction, routines, and relationships come together in grades K–2.The conversation explores how early reading and math are taught online, how engagement is sustained with very young learners, and how teachers and families work together to support students at the very start of their academic journey. Felicia also reflects on lessons that apply beyond virtual classrooms and addresses common skepticism about whether online learning can work for early elementary students.This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing effort to document how virtual education functions in practice, with insights that are relevant for educators in any setting.Thanks for listening to GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, a podcast documenting how virtual school works in practice at Georgia Cyber Academy.Each episode features educators, staff, and leaders sharing real stories and systems that support teaching and learning in a virtual environment.Learn more about the podcast and explore past episodes at: https://www.georgiacyber.org/about/unmutedYou can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions