2021 Teacher Survey

Executive Summary

A survey conducted by Florida Virtual School (FLVS) in August 2021 revealed that online teachers feel they can better connect with students and parents in an online setting when compared to in-person instruction – allowing them to offer more individualized attention and understand their true learning needs.

While the past few years have challenged educators everywhere, it also showed teachers the benefits of virtual learning. In fact, according to the survey that was deployed to Florida Virtual School teachers across grades Kindergarten-12, 87% of them agree that teaching online allows them to better communicate and connect one-on-one with students when compared to the brick-and-mortar setting. The following sections detail this survey and the important insights it conveyed.

Background and Purpose

In early 2021, some survey findings indicated increased stressors in the teaching profession, particularly for those managing remote teaching due to the pandemic (see, for example, the RAND Corporation’s findings). Florida Virtual School deployed its own survey to illustrate how teacher experiences from an established online education program are very different from the emergency remote teaching experienced during the pandemic (see the 2022 Digital Learning Snapshot for more details on these differences).

Survey Method

The 15-question survey was administered to all Florida Virtual School teachers across all grade levels to gather their perspectives on teaching in an online school environment. Teachers had a wide range of experience with online instruction, from less than one year to 10 years or more. The survey included open and close-ended questions, including questions with Likert-type ratings. Responses of strongly agree/agree, and strongly disagree/disagree were combined for reporting purposes. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

Findings and Implications

Compared to their experience teaching in a brick-and-mortar setting, teachers rated their experience teaching online in the following ways:

Findings: More than 96% of teachers agreed that teaching online has allowed them to communicate more frequently with their students’ parents as compared to teaching in person. 

Findings: Nearly 87% of teachers agreed that teaching online has allowed them to communicate better with their students and connect with them more often.

Findings: Nearly 86% of teachers agreed that they can help more students individually in an online learning environment as compared to a brickand-mortar setting.

Findings: Nearly 83% of teachers agreed that teaching online has given them more resources and tools that make them feel empowered to help their students succeed.

Findings: Nearly 83% of teachers agreed that teaching online has increased their ability to help students succeed.

Findings: 76% of teachers agreed that the Florida Virtual School curriculum has decreased their administrative workload, allowing them to spend more time helping students.

Findings: Nearly 73% of teachers agreed that teaching online allows them to better understand their students’ true learning needs.

Participant Characteristics

Participant Characteristics

The tables that follow provide a breakdown of these findings by grade level.

In an open-ended response, teachers reported that their favorite part of online teaching was the ability to have a flexible schedule, not only for themselves but also for their students. As an example, one teacher pointed out that this flexibility “improves [students’] educational experience and provides a better fit for their specific needs.” Teachers also valued the frequent opportunities for one-on-one communication, which allowed them to build deeper connections with students and their families. Many stated that routine communication made it easier for them to individualize instruction so that their students could be successful.

Closing Thoughts

Teachers believe online teaching benefits their relationships with students and their ability to provide personalized learning that meets their individual needs.