#49 From Isolation to Connection: The Key to Virtual School Success with Alicia Hughes

Why Distance Learning?

🚨 “We don’t care about grades or completion right now. We want every student to feel a connection.” 🚨

Too many virtual schools struggle with student disengagement, teacher burnout, and the overwhelming challenge of building culture in an online environment. Leaders and educators are left wondering—Can we really create a strong, connected school community without a physical space?

🎧 In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring sit down with Alicia Hughes, founder of Sparking Up Leadership and former principal of South Carolina’s largest virtual public school. Alicia shares the hard-earned strategies she used to turn an isolated, disengaged school community into one that thrived—with 98% staff satisfaction and a 90% graduation rate.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Culture drives everything—Why strong relationships matter more than test scores in virtual schools.

✅ The power of small norms—How something as simple as a cameras-on policy transformed school engagement.

✅ Why most virtual schools fail at community-building—And what Alicia did differently to ensure students felt seen and supported.

✅ How to get staff buy-in—Strategies for inspiring teachers to model connection and engagement.

✅ Technology is a tool, not a solution—Why the right mindset matters more than the latest edtech trends.

💡 PROBLEM → SOLUTION → ACTION:

If your virtual school is struggling with low engagement, staff turnover, or a disconnected student experience, this episode gives you practical, tested strategies for creating a thriving school culture—even when everyone is behind a screen.

Guest Bio:

Alicia Hughes is the founder of Sparking Up Leadership, where she helps organizations thrive in virtual spaces through leadership excellence and team dynamics. With over 20 years of experience in education, Alicia has successfully led initiatives to create strong cultures in both physical and virtual settings. She is the author of Sparking Up Leadership: Igniting Your Influence with Sparkle and Sunshine and is passionate about relationships, positivity, and empowering others.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Alicia Hughes on LinkedIn.

• Learn more about Sparking Up Leadership at SparkingUpLeadership.com.

• Explore Alicia’s book, Sparking Up Leadership: Igniting Your Influence with Sparkle and Sunshine.

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.