"The personal touch is my key to success in the online learning environment," says science teacher Patricia Hoffman. "My whole way of thinking and working has changed since I began teaching at Advanced Academics." Ms. Hoffman, who taught science for seventeen years in the traditional classroom, joined Advanced Academics three years ago. Since then, she has worked with hundreds of students in all areas of AAI science courses.

Although Ms. Hoffman does not see her students every day as she would in the traditional classroom, she says that she still enjoys building relationships with her online kids. "I enjoy being able to respond instantly to my students' questions and I enjoy their personalties. It is very rewarding for me." When Ms. Hoffman is not online with her students, she likes to spend time with Mickey, her 5-year old golden retriever. "He loves to swim and I'm teaching him to leap from a diving board and through a hula hoop into the pool," said Ms. Hoffman. "I'm glad I don't mind a big wet dog shaking water all over me." Ms. Hoffman is also an avid reader and yoga practitioner.