School culture is built through consistent expectations, shared language, and reinforcement over time. In a virtual school, creating that kind of culture requires intentional systems that reach students and staff across locations.

In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Lakin Whitesides, PBIS Coordinator at Georgia Cyber Academy. Lakin shares how Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) helps establish and sustain a positive school culture across a large, fully virtual environment.

The conversation explores how expectations are defined and reinforced, how students are recognized for positive behavior, and how educators work together to create consistency across classrooms. Lakin also discusses how success is measured, how PBIS adapts to a virtual setting, and what other schools can learn from building culture at scale.

This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools develop systems that support student behavior, engagement, and community.

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/unmuted

You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

Inclusion is not only about access. It is about meaningful participation, skill development, and helping students grow with purpose. In a virtual school, that work requires intentional design, flexibility, and a focus on the individual.

In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Brandi Dozier-Muhammad, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in the LIFE Program at Georgia Cyber Academy. Brandi shares how the LIFE Program supports students with disabilities in developing independence, life skills, and confidence in a virtual environment.

The conversation explores how inclusion is approached through courses like Family and Consumer Sciences, how instruction is adapted to meet a range of needs, and how student voice and real-world application shape learning. Brandi also reflects on what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice and addresses common assumptions about whether virtual schools can support students with exceptional needs.

This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools design inclusive environments that support all learners.

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/unmuted

You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions

Supporting student wellness is essential to learning, especially during the high school years when students are navigating academic expectations, relationships, and future decisions. In a virtual environment, counseling must be intentional, accessible, and grounded in strong relationships.

In this episode of GCA Unmuted: Voices of Virtual Education, we’re joined by Derrick Westry, a high school counselor at Georgia Cyber Academy. Derrick shares what counseling looks like in a virtual setting and how he supports students’ academic planning, mental health, and overall well-being.

The conversation explores how trust is built with students online, how counselors identify and respond to student needs, and how collaboration with teachers, graduation coaches, and families supports a whole-student approach. Derrick also reflects on the challenges and opportunities of providing counseling at a distance and addresses common concerns about whether meaningful support can happen in a virtual school.

This episode is part of GCA Unmuted’s ongoing documentation of how virtual schools support student wellness as an integrated part of learning.

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/unmuted

You can also watch full episodes and highlights on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@GCAchampions