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ECOT graduates study at the University of Cincinnati (UC)

Erin Meadows, Class of 2007, and Kelsey Robb, Class of 2009, are both currently pursuing bachelor's degrees at the University of Cincinnati (UC).

Kelsey is the 2009 recipient of ECOT's Founder's Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the applicant who is the most active volunteering his or her time and providing service to the community.

At UC, Kelsey is a Middle Childhood Education major and attends classes at the university's Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash, OH.

After her first semester at UC, Kelsey earned a 4.0 g.p.a. and a place on the Dean's List. Kelsey, who wants to be a math teacher, also finds time to work at a deli.

Erin, a sophomore, is majoring in biology and takes classes at UC's Clermont College in Batavia, OH. After earning a bachelor's degree, she plans to obtain a graduate degree in Marine Biology.

She hopes to be able to attend the University of Tampa to pursue her interests.

Erin says, "Without ECOT, I would not have made it through high school, and therefore would not have been able to live out my dreams of becoming a Marine Biologist. I want to thank everyone involved with ECOT for making such a learning experience available to students that are not able to complete high school in a public setting, whatever the circumstances. I am honored to have been able to graduate from such an institution."

John Bergstresser: ECOT Prepares Students for College

John Bergstresser, Class of 2009, is still in his first year of college, but he’s already getting comfortable with life on campus. John attends Bowling Green State University where his major is Middle Childhood Education.

Moving from an online educational environment like ECOT to attending face-to-face classes everyday may seem like a large transition.

By taking classes through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, John was able to take college courses while learning at ECOT. John says his experiences at ECOT helped prepare him for BGSU.

“PSEO definitely helped me when I was in my senior year of ECOT. If I didn't have PSEO as part of my course in my senior year, I would say it would have taken longer for me to get used to the classes. But really, since all my work is still due on a weekly basis, it is very similar to ECOT,” John said.

In addition to PSEO, the technology used by ECOT helped prepare John.

“Many courses require that assignments be turned in through dropboxes, or exams have to be taken online. A lot of these have very similar traits to what ECOT was like, so I already knew how to do many of things that most students here do not,” John said.

One of the keys to John’s success on campus is getting involved in university life. John is a part of a learning community, Partners in Context and Community, focused on education in urban settings. Part of the program requires him to teach 50 hours a semester in an urban school.

Also, the learning community provides social activities for John and the other members. Having a leadership position on campus has also helped John understand how his college operates.

“I am on the executive board that makes decisions for my learning community. Also, I am on the faculty advisory board that is made up of different directors from the College of Education that sits in and advises on what our learning community is doing right and wrong. I am also part of the Long Range Committee that is set up to create programs for the learning community for the next five years,” John said.

John’s career goal is to teach English and History. At BGSU, he is making positive strides towards reaching his goal.

Interview with Kelly Bobo: 2004 Graduate and Current ECOT Teacher

On June 19, 2004, Kelly Bobo graduated from ECOT, Ohio's first and largest online school, after spending two years enrolled in the school.

She was an honor student and class speaker during her graduation ceremony at the Columbus Athenaeum.

Five years later, Kelly earned a college degree and was hired as a highly qualified ECOT teacher. Below is an interview with Kelly about her experiences at ECOT.

ECOT: What contributed to your decision to attend ECOT?

Kelly: There were a few factors that were involved in my decision to attend ECOT. First, I had surgery on my ankle and was unable to get to my classes at the brick and mortar private school I was attending because they did not have elevators or ramps. Another reason was that the public school I would have to attend if I transferred was known for violence, and I didn’t want to be in a violent environment. Since I was a straight “A” student and did not want to get behind, I decided to go to ECOT. It was the best choice I ever made in regards to my schooling. Not only did I not get behind, but I got ahead and was able to graduate a year early.

ECOT: What were the best aspects of attending an online school?

Kelly: The best aspects for me were the safety and maneuverability issues. I also loved the fact that I could work at my own pace, which enabled me to get ahead and graduate early. Lastly, I was always bored in school, but being online where I didn’t have to sit in a classroom all day being bored then have a ton of homework after school, was the best choice for me.

ECOT: Where did you go to college?

Kelly: I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education from Youngstown State University.

ECOT: How did ECOT help prepare you for college?

Kelly: Students who attend ECOT and are successful need to be independent workers and be intrinsically motivated. I was able to successfully work on my own. This independence skill got stronger through the years I was with ECOT, which helped prepare me for the independence given in college courses.

ECOT: What made you choose education as a career?

Kelly: I had always wanted to be a teacher from the time I entered Kindergarten. I love helping people, and I used to play school in my basement with my stuffed animals. I would spend hours teaching my stuffed animals school-related concepts, so it was obvious to everyone that I was going to love being a teacher.

ECOT: What made you decide to pursue a teaching position at ECOT?

Kelly: I loved ECOT as a student, and I was curious to be on the other side and see what it’s like from a teacher perspective. Also, I want to give back to the school that helped me.

ECOT: Has your experience as an ECOT student influenced your teaching?

Kelly: Yes. I feel that I am able to relate to the students since I was “in their shoes” at one time. The knowledge of how students may feel in certain situations guides my teaching.

ECOT: Do your students know you attended ECOT? If so, what do they say?

Kelly: Yes, they know. Many students say it is “cool.” There have been a few students may be frustrated with the technological aspect of ECOT. I explain to them that I’ve been there before, and I understand how frustrating it can be, but that I will help them get caught up in all of their work as soon as they can get back on Elluminate (ECOT's live teaching tool). Knowing that I’ve been there before seems to calm many students.

Looking Back: A First Year Graduate Reflects On ECOT

James Gerity, a member of ECOT's Class of 2001, has a place in ECOT history as one of the school's first graduates.

He was one of the young people profiled in The Kids That ECOT Taught, which was written by ECOT Founder Bill Lager. Gerity was also one of the honored guests who attended the second commencement exercises in 2002.

Since then, Gerity has built a military career in the Navy and enrolled in college.

He credits ECOT with giving him a good foundation to start his adult life.

"The education is first rate. As a student, it was tough to realize that I needed to depend on myself to understand the material that was being taught. I almost became a different person," Gerity said.

"I was much more independent, and going through boot camp, I could make the decisions that someone in a conventional school hasn't had the experience to make. I'm not saying that conventional schooling doesn't teach you how to make decisions for yourself. But, ECOT provided me the opportunity to make my own schedule, and to think a lot more independently."

Gerity has been in the Navy for nearly nine years. He has served in Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and before that assignment, he was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At the same time, Gerity has been attending American Military University where he majors in criminal justice with a concentration in Forensics. All of his classes are online.

After he earns a bachelor's degree, Gerity plans to pursue a master's degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology.

He would also like to stay in the Navy as long as possible.

Looking back on his decision to enroll in ECOT, Gerity said, "I wasn't really part of the 'in' crowd, and high school, many times, wasn't presenting a challenge for me. I was concerned with completing high school as fast as possible, and continuing on to my plans for college, and succeeding in the goals that I have made for myself."

ECOT Wins 2nd Best Place to Work in Central Ohio

At a luncheon on Nov. 12, ECOT representatives were pleased to learn that staff and teachers had voted ECOT as the 2nd best place to work in Central Ohio.

This is the first time that an online school has been named as a finalist -- let alone a top five finisher.

The award, which is sponsored by Columbus Business First newspaper puts ECOT in elite company in the medium-sized business category.

The winners are below:

1. Hilton Columbus at Easton
2. ECOT (Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow
3. Riverside Radiology Associates
4. Gilbane Building Co.
5. CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.
6. Residential Finance Corp.
7. St. Vincent Family Centers
8. GBQ Partners LLC
9. Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co LPA.
10. Deloitte LLP

Fun Facts About ECOT

ECOT is celebrating its 10th year of educating Ohio students online

In the past 10 years, there have been some interesting developments with the school and its students. Here are some fun facts about ECOT:

On June 6, 2009, over 1200 students - representing ECOT's largest class ever - participated in ECOT's ninth commencement.

For the past two years, ECOT's graduation ceremony has been held at the Schottenstein Center ("The Schott") on the campus of The Ohio State University.

In 2008 and 2009, ECOT's LifeSmarts team won the state championship. The team represented the state of Ohio at the national competition each year.

Last year, ECOT students participated in individual competitive activities such as equestrian sports, figure skating, and professional motocross.

Each year, ECOT publishes Keystrokes, the high school literary magazine that also features amazing artwork created by ECOT students. Click here to access the 2009 edition of Keystrokes.

ECOT named as one of Central Ohio's Best Places to Work

The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) has been named as one of Central Ohio's Best Places to Work according to Columbus Business First newspaper.

Business First's Best Places to Work program recognizes the top companies in Central Ohio based on workplace satisfaction surveys.

Best Places to Work Finalists

MICRO

Ascend Advisory Group LLC
AXIA Consulting, LLC
Definity Partners
Destinations by Design
Executive Staffing Solutions
Leading EDJE
Paycor, Inc.
TECHnology SITE Planners
The Sophic Group
Webbed Marketing

SMALL

Aerotek, Inc.
CallCopy, Inc.
Centric Consulting, LLC
Colliers Turley Martin Tucker
Delta Energy
Littler Mendelson
Navigator Management Partners LLC
Parallel Technologies
Quantum Health, Inc.
Yashco Systems, Inc.

MEDIUM

CB Richard Ellis
Deloitte LLP
Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow
GBQ
Gilbane Building Company
Hilton Columbus at Easton
Residential Finance Corporation
Riverside Radiology Associates, Inc.
Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA
St. Vincent Family Center

LARGE

Abbott Nutrition
CareWorks Family of Companies
Licking Memorial Health Systems
The Ohio State University Medical Center
Safelite AutoGlass

ECOT publishes 2009 literary magazine

Each year, ECOT publishes a literary magazine called Keystrokes to showcase the best student writing and visual art at the high school level.

The magazine is supported by ECOT's administration, language arts department, art education department and communications staff. The magazine represents many hours of hard work and collaboration by students, teachers, staff members and administrators.

Click here to download the 2009 edition (PDF, 7.3 mb)