logo
Weekly Teacher Update
February 16, 2021

Congratulations to Kim IA, Jennifer ITV, and Lynn BU, the winners of last week’s Ox Dinos! This may have been the last of our Lunar New Year giveaways, but we’re working hard to get Ox Dinos back in the VIPKid store in the coming weeks.


This week, we’re continuing to celebrate Black educators through an inspiring interview with Teacher Ri'Cha ri S, and we’ll be sharing an important update to the apple score review process that will begin in March.

Top Story
Updates to the Apple Score Review Process

A change to the "Request a Review" function

Beginning March 15, 2021, VIPKid will no longer review parent feedback for 1–3 apple scores, unless the parent feedback is discriminatory, is regarding highly sensitive content or is unrelated to the teacher.


We recognize apple scores can be viewed by parents and that, at times, parent expectations and teaching style may not always align. Our goal is to provide a space for honest feedback, which we believe is essential to creating a positive classroom experience for both student and teacher. Ultimately, we hope parent feedback is valuable to teachers and to our platform.


Negative parent feedback and apple scores will no longer impact your teaching contract, but please be aware that this change does not affect offline parent complaints, which may still influence your teaching agreement.

​​​​​​​You can find more information about parent feedback, apple scores, and offline parent feedback on the
Feedback page of your Teacher Portal.

Latest Updates
Don't Miss The First Diversity Speaker Series Event
Hear from Ilyasah Shabazz

In honor of Black History Month, our first event will feature Ilyasah Shabazz, an award-winning author, educator, and producer and the daughter of Malcolm X. This is a free event that will take place on February 25 from 6–6:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) and is available to all teachers on the platform. ​​​​​​​

Last week, we announced the launch of VIPKid Diversity Speaker Series: Exploring Identity & Learning from Unique Perspectives. This quarterly series provides teachers with opportunities to hear from unique viewpoints, challenge personal paradigms, and celebrate diversity. This series will be inspirational, informative, and thought-provoking, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!


Register for the event here to reserve your spot. If you cannot attend, registered teachers will be able to view the recording of the keynote for 7 days after the event.

​​​​​​​For more information, please see the Community Events Page.

Mini Mighty Reading Club Spring Semester Starts March 22
Sign your child up while spaces last or become an affiliate and make $50

Did you know that 2 out of 3 of American students are not proficient in reading by the end of third grade? Extra reading practice can help set your child, or a child in your life, up for success.

We’re currently enrolling students for our spring semester of Mini Mighty Reading Club (MMRC). MMRC is an online reading and phonics course for US and Canadian students aged 4-9. For $150, you can sign your child up for 10 courses taught by experienced reading teachers and developed in collaboration with the VIPKid Research Institute.
Sign up at the MMRC website before March 8!

​​​​​​​If you don’t have a child in this age range, you can still become an affiliate for MMRC. When someone signs up for MMRC using your affiliate code, they get a $15 discount, you get a $15 referral fee, and for your first successful referral you get an extra $35 bonus!
Become an affiliate today!

Community

Celebrating Black Educators

Featuring Teacher Ri'Cha ri S


​​​​​​​This week, we are excited to feature the radiant Teacher Ri'Cha ri S.

Dr. Ri’Cha ri currently lives in South Carolina and is on her 11th contract. 

image

Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s bright and loving energy radiates through everything she does. An educational advocate, Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s accomplishments begin with graduating high school at just 15 years old, to becoming the first in her family to attend college, and most recently receiving her PhD in education in 2019.


“I come from a family of firsts,” Dr. Ri’Cha ri says proudly, “My parents were both presidents of their unions, and they instilled within me this powerful desire to stand up for people when there is injustice.”


Dr. Ri Cha ri’s passions and zest for life have allowed her to explore her many talents, and create joy and change no matter what she does. Dr. Ri’Cha ri is a lifelong educator who has landed a record deal, modeled, launched her own fashion business, and created her own non-profit (501c3) where she taught world languages, cultural intelligence, cultural awareness, and dance!


How have your many passions influenced your life path?

“You don’t have to be just one thing,” Dr. Ri’Cha ri explains, “When I graduated high school at 15 and went straight to college on a full scholarship, I had the opportunity to go to so many places.” Dr. Ri’Cha ri has always followed her passions and explored her interests. She explains, “I was passionate about music, however, my parents encouraged me to pursue a degree with numbers. Before entering college, I never spoke above a whisper. But, I practiced and practiced singing in my free time, and I ended up with a record deal at a very young age.” Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s passion for music led her to sing across the country, from the Lincoln Theater in Washington D.C., to Carnegie Hall in New York City, where she also launched a career in acting. Dr. Ri’Cha ri has never stopped exploring, traveling, and learning! 


What is a memorable experience you have that exemplifies who you are? 


Dr. Ri’Cha ri reflects on her time in New York City, and notes “I have always taken the moral high ground, this is very important to me. I have never let my morals change because I live a fast paced life.” During her modeling career, Dr. Ri’Cha ri was approached by a major fast food chain to shoot a commercial for their latest burger. She remembers, “They asked me to shoot a commercial where I had to eat a burger. But I explained, I’m a vegetarian--I can’t do that! They said it was no big deal--just take a bite and then spit it out. I couldn’t do it, so I declined their offer. I ended up giving up the lead role, but stayed on as an extra. I know I did the right thing.” 


How did you become a teacher with VIPKid?


After a whirlwind of experiences in New York City, Dr. Ri’Cha ri moved to South Carolina with her son and became an educator specializing in business and technology at her local school district. Dr. Ri’Cha ri says, “I experienced a difficult discriminatory situation at my school district, in which my safety and my son’s safety were threatened. My school district was not responding or handling the situation as they needed to, and I felt vulnerable. VIPKid saved my life, and I mean that." Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s experience with her non-profit that teaches cultural awareness provided her with the foundation to excel in creating joyous cross-cultural virtual classroom spaces. 


What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with teachers?

Dr. Ri’Cha ri is currently facilitating courses at Cornell University on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She shares, “I was taught to love, and even though I can get in debates, I always listen to people and recognize their points of view. We all have the ability to grow and learn.”


Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s loving joy and passion for life have inspired us to continue to explore and learn. 


Make sure to check out Dr. Ri’Cha ri’s story on VIPKid social channels--we can't wait to hear where your passions have taken you! Click here for the Hutong challenge and to join the discussion.


If you identify as a Black educator, or would like to nominate a Black educator to be featured in this weekly spotlight series, click here for more information!

Our 21-Day Fitness Challenge is Underway
It's not too late to join!

We’re one week into ClassPass’s 21-Day Fitness Challenge, and lots of teachers have joined in on the fun while supporting Black-owned studios. Click here for the guided workout plan and to register for the chance to win a $50 ClassPass gift card.

Meetups
Virtual Meetups
Black History Month celebrations

Check out some of the upcoming Meetups celebrating Black History Month, including Black Is a Rainbow Color and Leave It on the Dance Floor (click the links for more information and to sign up). ​​​​​If you’re looking for ways to celebrate this month, here are a few suggestions:


  • Support a Black-owned or Black-operated restaurant in your area by having a virtual dinner or lunch with other teachers

  • Host a discussion about a book by a Black author


Did you attend any of the celebratory Lunar New Year Meetups this month? Hosts still have a few extra days to submit their attendees before we announce the 5 Ox Dino winners in next week’s update.


Check out the Community Events page that's updated weekly to reflect all upcoming events and Meetups! If you aren’t seeing a Virtual Meetup that works for you, you can also host your own! ​​​​​​​

Trending Topics
Trending Topics

Our Teacher Service and Support Teams are always keeping a pulse on what's trending in the community
​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In this Weekly Update section, we’re digging deeper into issues affecting teachers within the last week and providing clarity whenever possible.
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Click here to see our responses to the following trending topics on our homepage:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​

1. FAQs About the Perfect Streak Challenge
2. What to do if I’m a teacher impacted by severe weather or outages this winter season


Join the discussion
​​​​​​​