Congrats, You’re “Highly Effective.” Now What?
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
September 8, 2025
(Spoiler: You’re Not Done Learning)
Ah, the coveted “Highly Effective.” That shiny gold star we all secretly want. But earning it doesn’t mean you’ve reached the mountaintop. It just means you nailed a snapshot observed by someone for a few minutes.
Right now, this time of year is usually when many of us start the self-reflective review process. A process that lasts throughout the school year and eventually leads to a score from your school leader. And here’s the truth: if you chase that final rating, you’re aiming at the wrong goal. That score is about optics, not impact. Your students don’t care about a rubric, they care about you.
Let’s be real, some teachers just copy, paste, and check boxes to get the process done. Been there, done that. On the brink of burnout, I didn’t want to reflect. I thought I’d “arrived” because I wasn’t struggling, or so I told myself. Big mistake.
Here’s what I learned: reflection isn’t punishment. It’s fuel. If you actually invest in yourself, identify areas to grow, and let your review be a tool, not a formality, you’ll become a better teacher and stop doubting why you do this job every single day.
And seriously, how is it possible for any of us to think we are perfect, with no room for improvement, and then get bent out of shape if we don’t score “perfect”? Is that what we teach our students every day? That it’s more important to be perfect than to work through the process, learn, and grow? If perfection is your goal, you’re teaching the wrong lesson, both to yourself and to your students.
Not hitting “Highly Effective” on every line isn’t failure, it’s opportunity. Perfect scores everywhere? Boring. Stagnant. Lifeless. Growth is messy, unpredictable, and yes, way more fun.
So as you start this year’s reflection process, sip your coffee, do the work, and focus on growth, not your final rating. Your students and your sanity will thank you.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
Which areas of your teaching practice have room to grow this year, and how can you focus on progress rather than perfection?
When was the last time you felt truly energized by your teaching, and how can your reflection process help you reconnect with why you do this work?
How might you use your review tool (rubric, self-assessment, or final rating process) as a roadmap for professional growth rather than a measure of self-worth?
What lessons about curiosity, growth, and resilience are you modeling for your students, and how can your reflection help you teach those lessons more intentionally?
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
