MIDDLETOWN >> Middletown High students have the chance to take online courses like Mandarin or stock market with the help of Virtual High School and teacher Dave Reynolds.
In his 11 years at Middletown High, Reynolds, 41, is the department head of Career and Tech Education at Middletown High, the adviser of DECA and for the past five years, he's taught Investing in the Stock Market for not only Middletown students, but students from around the world, including Dubai and Brazil.
On a sunny Thursday afternoon, he was presented with an award from VHS in honor of his five years of service to the organization.
With more than 650 participating schools, more than 200 courses and more than 16,000 students, VHS offers high school students a chance to not only take classes not offered at their school, but collaborate with students worldwide and learn necessary skills for college.
"Students get to prove to colleges that they can work independently," Reynolds said.
Reynolds' involvement with the program began with the former assistant superintendent at Middletown High mentioning that he would be a good fit for the program. Now more than 150 Middletown High School students have participated in the program and the administration has expanded next year's class to 50 students, rather than the 30 previously.
When asked whether something like VHS would become the new way of teaching, Reynolds commented that it's a good piece, but not what should take over education.
"I believe it's an important piece, but I would hate to lose face-to-face interaction," Reynolds said. "There's no VHS graduation. I don't get told by my online students, 'Hey I just broke up with my boyfriend.'"
But the online classes offer a broader spectrum.
"It allows us to meet [the student's] interests and curiosity," said Lawerance Morello, a guidance counselor at Middletown High and the coordinator of VHS for the school. "We can offer classes like nursing or Mandarian or AP statistics."
"It's wonderful to have a teacher with this dedication," said Kathy Randall, the state consortium director for the area for VHS.
According to Reynolds, "everyone wins" with VHS because it benefits the schools, the teachers and the students.
"Students learn to be responsible, collaborate in a written way and use technology," Reynolds said. "They're working independently and learning college skills now."
Reynolds hopes to continue teaching for VHS.
"It's one of the best decisions I made," Reynolds said.