Meet Ms. Cook of Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina 

For Ms. Cook, teaching isn’t just a profession; it’s a calling rooted in her personal journey. As a Career and Technology Education (CTE) teacher at Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina, Ms. Cook is passionate about giving students the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future. 

“I grew up in poverty, and money was always a stressor for me,” she shared. “Pretty much all of my professional goals have surrounded wanting to make that easier for other people.” 

From Finance to the Classroom 

Before becoming an educator, Ms. Cook spent several years working as a professional financial advisor. Her undergraduate degree is in accounting, and her early career involved helping clients with personal financial planning. 

But something was missing. 

“The thing about that world is that those people are very well off and that’s why they can afford professional services,” she explained. “It wasn’t satisfying because I wanted to reach people who really needed me.” 

During the pandemic, Ms. Cook made a bold decision. She went back to school, earned her master’s degree in education, and began teaching high school. Now, she’s in her element. 

“I get to teach personal finance to our high school students, which is my favorite thing in the world.” 

The Impact of Teaching  

For Ms. Cook, the classroom is where she can truly make an impact. She sees her work as providing both knowledge and opportunity. 

“It’s really important for me for students to feel like they have a strong foundation for making informed decisions for themselves,” she said. 

One phrase that has stuck with her throughout her teaching career is: You can’t be what you can’t see. 

“If you live in a family where your family has always done blue-collar work, you can’t dream of being an accountant if you don’t know what an accountant is. That’s why exposure is so important. Even if students don’t go on to love the career, at least they’ve had a chance to see it.” 

Meeting Her Students Where They Are 

Teaching virtually has given Ms. Cook the chance to connect with students in ways she never could in a traditional classroom. 

“If I had based my teaching experience on my first year in the classroom, I would have considered myself a failure as a teacher,” she admitted. “I’m incredibly introverted, and being in a classroom with 35 students all day long was exhausting. Now, I get my 75 minutes with students, we rock it out, and it works for us.” 

She also values the flexibility virtual learning offers, both for her and for the students. 

“We can reach people where they are. If I need to cancel a class to really focus on preparing something, I can give students asynchronous work. Nobody’s left behind, and the learning still continues.” 

Challenges and Opportunities 

Like many educators, Ms. Cook acknowledges that student motivation can be a challenge, especially in a virtual environment. But she doesn’t see it as a barrier. 

“Not every single thing I’m saying is going to land, and that’s okay,” she said. “I see it as building blocks. Even if they don’t fully grasp it now, I’m opening that door a little bit so the next person can build on it.” 

She takes pride in small wins. 

“When I was in high school, no one was even talking to me about this stuff. If I answer one student’s question or give them a resource, that’s a win for me.” 

The Power of Career & Technology Education 

Ms. Cook has found her passion as part of the CTE department at Heron, which gives students hands-on knowledge to explore future careers. Students can choose from five business-related pathways: Marketing Communications, Administrative Services, Business Information Management, Game and Interactive Media Design, and General Management.  

“Every student at Heron has to pick and be on a pathway for graduation,” she explained. “Even if they’re not sure what they want yet, it gives them exposure, and sometimes that’s all it takes to spark a new passion.” 

Looking Towards the Future 

For Ms. Cook, teaching personal finance isn’t just about numbers, it’s about empowering students to take control of their futures. 

“I don’t want their home life to be a pitfall for them,” she said. “Even if they don’t remember every lesson about 401(k)s or taxes, at least they’re getting a foundation that so many students out there never get.” 

And with her background in finance and her heart for education, Ms. Cook is determined to keep bridging the gap between knowledge and opportunity. 

“Every conversation, every bit of exposure matters. You never know when one moment is going to change the trajectory of a student’s life.” 

If you’re interested in learning more about Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina, please check out hvasc.k12.com. 

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