Can hands-on career training truly happen online? Skeptics argue that virtual education falls short when it comes to preparing students for high-touch, high-stakes professions—especially in healthcare.

Amanda Bell, a visionary CTE leader and creator of High STEP Virtual Academy, proves otherwise. In this episode, Amanda shares how she’s revolutionizing health science education for rural and under-resourced schools through virtual reality, AI simulations, and hybrid learning models. From virtual cadaver labs to soft skills AI bots, Amanda walks us through how her students are getting certified, career-ready, and more self-aware—all without ever stepping into a physical clinic.

Discover how immersive technology can elevate CTE and make career exploration more equitable, accessible, and personalized. Amanda also offers practical insight into building community online, teaching empathy virtually, and using tech to strengthen—not replace—the human side of healthcare education.

Episode Links:

• High STEP Virtual Academy
• South Central Service Cooperative
• Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC)

Host Links:

1. Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
2. Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth Fleischauer, Tami Moehring, and Allyson Mitchell welcome Alan Tang, founder of Collaboration Laboratory, to explore the power of play as a core instructional strategy in live virtual learning. They dig into what happens when games aren’t the reward—but the curriculum itself. Alan shares how CoLab uses escape rooms, missions, and collaborative challenges to build communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking for kids around the world.

The conversation covers how CoLab builds safe, judgment-free cohorts that span cultures, how facilitators become coaches, and why giving students agency and space to fail leads to deeper learning. From “Elemental Escape” to avocado-themed risk challenges, this episode reveals a vibrant new model of education—where learning is playful, purposeful, and profoundly human.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why distance learning is uniquely suited for global, collaborative play
• How CoLab designs challenges that teach soft skills in high-stakes games
• The coaching model that blends structure and autonomy for kids aged 7–15
• Creating psychological safety in virtual cohorts from 25+ countries
• How feedback from students and facilitators drives content innovation
• Alan’s vision for future adult and school-based applications of CoLab
• The role of play in building empathy, leadership, and resilience

Episode Links:

• Collaboration Laboratory Website
• Connect with Alan Tang on LinkedIn

Host Links:

1. Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
2. Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, your hosts sit down with Desiré Mosser, a veteran instructional coach supporting over 125 virtual educators at Pasco eSchool and Vice President of BOLD (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). A former brick-and-mortar science teacher turned online education leader, Desiré brings over two decades of hands-on virtual teaching experience, systems thinking, and heartfelt coaching into a conversation that dives deep into what it really takes to make virtual schools thrive—not just for students, but for teachers too.

The episode explores how Desiré transitioned into virtual learning out of necessity, only to become a cornerstone of educator support in Florida’s online education community. From dispelling myths about teacher isolation to building sustainable systems of care, Desiré shares stories, strategies, and moments of growth that challenge the notion that distance learning limits connection. Her experience reveals how personalized, human-centered leadership—and a dash of humor—can transform virtual teaching into a deeply rewarding career.

Pain Point:
Many educators—especially high-performing ones from traditional classrooms—struggle with the transition to virtual teaching. They face feelings of professional disorientation, burnout, and isolation, often exacerbated by the misconception that online teaching is less personal or impactful.

Solution:
Desiré combats these challenges with a highly personal, relationship-first approach to coaching and systems design. She builds trust from day one, treating teachers as whole people with lives beyond their screens. Her tools include visual boundaries for home life, proactive calendar management, and “kudos files” to keep morale high. Importantly, she systematizes this approach through a team of lead teachers who carry these same values into their smaller groups, making large-scale support both scalable and heartfelt.

Action:
Educators and school leaders can apply Desiré's strategies by:

• Building proactive onboarding that prioritizes relationship-building.
• Encouraging staff to design personal schedules that protect work-life balance.
• Modeling vulnerability and curiosity in coaching interactions.
• Instituting a “kudos file” system to celebrate small wins and sustain motivation.
• Training household members (yes, even toddlers) on virtual work boundaries.

These simple but powerful actions help foster longevity, well-being, and excellence in the virtual teaching profession.

🔗 Episode Links

• BOLD – Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida
• SOS Strategies for Online Survival by Desiré Mosser

🎙️ Host Links

• Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
• Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.