Take Five with Sonya Chanopas: STEM Teacher at the Virtual Academy

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Meet Ms. Sonya Chanopas, a K–2 STEM teacher at the CPS Virtual Academy! Like all CPS teachers, Ms. Chanopas first started teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then became one of the Virtual Academy’s founding staff members in 2021.

“COVID teaching was extremely hard—I felt like I was a first-year teacher again,” says Ms. Chanopas. “But I distinctly remember noticing how well the virtual setting worked for a few of the kids who struggled in person. So when I saw that the Virtual Academy was opening up, I knew I was ready for a new teaching challenge, and I decided to go for it.”

There are several reasons why virtual learning might work better for some students. Many Virtual Academy students have complex medical needs, and virtual learning ensures they are able to continue going to school while receiving care. There are unique challenges that come with teaching virtually, but educators like Ms. Chanopas face them head-on every day. As talented as she is dedicated, Ms. Chanopas is known as a teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.

Learn more about her below!

How would you describe your teaching style?

Engaging! I try to find ways to help kids connect to our lessons. If we’re doing a math story problem, I make that story revolve around a character or toy that they’re into. I also like to find ways to keep them moving, because I don’t want them just sitting and staring at their computers all day. Like, let’s count by fives while we’re stretching or skipping!

What is your favorite part of your job?

Kids are so excited to learn at this age, and they log in with these big smiles on their faces. They’re so happy to be at school, and it keeps me going. Virtual teaching can be tricky, but it’s also special because we are invited into people’s homes and get to know whole families really well.

How do you create a sense of community in the virtual setting?

We make our classes resemble in-person school as much as possible. We work together to establish classroom rules, and students participate in class discussions. Students also have opportunities to socialize with each other and make friends. It’s really cool to see how they’re able to build these social skills virtually. Every year, we have an event where families can come and get together in person. Students always tell me I’m shorter than they thought I’d be! It’s so fun, and kids always get so excited when they see each other in person.

What is one lesson you hope your students take away from your class?

They're not just students—they're whole people. Yes, they come here for school and I teach them the academics, but they’re so much more than that. They are also artists, musicians, and athletes. My students are such cool kids who can do so much in life!

What do you like to do when you’re not teaching?

I love spending time with my husband and two daughters. My eight-year-old daughter is a CPS student, and I spend a lot of time driving her around to karate and dance classes! For myself, I love to do puzzles and take boxing and strength-training classes in my spare time.