Jodi Rosen pushes educational boundaries in virtual special education academy
May 1, 2025
Jodi Rosen, a sixth-grade special education teacher at Texas Virtual Academy Hallsville (TVAH), puts a unique spin on special education, pushing traditional educational boundaries.
While many teachers work long hours face-to-face with students, Rosen conducts her classroom from her home in Carrollton.
TVAH is a tuition-free, online program dedicated to providing a personalized education that meets each child’s individual needs.
Her workspace and approach to teaching may look different from the typical classroom, but Rosen’s learning environment is just as dynamic. Her journey was inspired by her time as a special education student growing up.
Rosen translated her challenges into a blossoming 25-year career with TVAH. She said each day at her job remains as engaging, exciting and enjoyable as the last.
“I wanted to be a special education teacher because I was in special education, and I wanted to show those kids that they can do anything they want, and not to let it bring them down,” Rosen said. “Those kids are so caring, they have big hearts and they want to do well … they need that extra push and encouragement, and I love to help with that.”
Rosen passes out “dojo points” to her students, which can be exchanged for gift cards to local restaurants along with a personalized note mailed to their houses. Along with education-based games and competitions, Rosen said these initiatives keep students engaged in a virtual setting.
“I teach in a fun way, I try to make each class as fun as possible … it helps them, and yet they’re playing fun games, so they don’t realize they’re still learning and going through all the concepts,” Rosen said. “Especially in a virtual academy, you have to do things that keep their attention, they are at home, and they want to show you their toys and their dogs … it’s personalized, and it’s cool teaching students all over Texas.”
With a smaller classroom than that of the average in-person academy, Rosen has a chance to truly get to know each student, parent and four-legged friend on a personal basis. She allocates the first few minutes of each class session to let students’ energy and creativity run free.
Rosen said oftentimes, she will take the students on a virtual field trip where they can explore the wonders of the world. From big cities and forests to the coral reefs, each field trip promises an experience more interesting and engaging than the last.
“I get really creative stories from my kids, it’s very cool to see what they’re interested in from the ocean and things like that,” Rosen said.
Rosen’s impact goes far beyond the virtual classroom. In special education, she helps uplift students struggling with confidence or focus issues often. When asking one student to volunteer to read a PowerPoint presentation slide, Rosen helped one student change her perspective on the education field.
“At first, this student was afraid to read and then she started to get confidence and read with the class … with the dojo points and the personalized notes, she got really encouraged,” Rosen said. “Now, she’s in eighth grade and she told me she wants to be a kindergarten teacher because of me.”
As Rosen looks to the future, she said her mission remains the same; to show every student – regardless of their circumstances – that “they are capable of greatness.”