December 2025 Stellar Spotlight!
At Stellar Pines, our teachers are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, they bring learning to life through creativity, compassion, and connection, helping students thrive in our virtual community. They’ve also served a vital role in our enrollment process this fall, reaching out to build connections from the very start.
This month, we’re excited to shine a light on one of our incredible educators, who’s been a rockstar this fall: Mrs. Lasky, our 6-12 Music teacher here at Stellar Pines. From inspiring students to pursue what makes them ‘geek out,’ to meeting students with patience and understanding, she reminds us that teachers are what make a school, well, a school!
Meet Mrs. Lasky
Q: How long have you been teaching? What inspired you to be a teacher?
A: I've been teaching for five and a half years! Two and a half in Kauai, Hawaii, and three in Southern Oregon prior to Stellar. I kind of fell into teaching. I heard a Learning Center Program Coordinator position could come up in Hawaii in the next few years, and when I realized how much I hated the stress of our customers at our family owned cell phone repair store... I started looking into programs. I found one where I just had to study a condensed course for a year on the mainland and it had a music endorsement!
And I ended up getting that job! The Kauai Performing Arts Center is the sole learning center on the island, and it offers classes for middle and high school theatre students across the entire island. They do plays and musicals for class credit!
Q: Why did you choose to teach in a virtual school rather than a traditional classroom?
A: I wanted to teach music and only music! My old school had me teaching all sorts of classes, and when they decided they wanted me to teach half my classes as a math lab, I was just done. My passion is music, and I love being able to share that passion with students this way!
Q: How do you connect in-class concepts to skills applicable offline?
A: I try to relate everything back to something a kiddo might actually be into now, which is easier for me with my skillset. Most music teachers and choir teachers focus more on classical traditions in education, and while I think it's important to know where we came from historically and musically, I'd rather try and get a kid hooked by sharing connection to the present. If I share my excitement with them, hopefully it's infectious!
I also have experienced great struggle in learning music. I'm very transparent with my students about my recently diagnosed ADHD, so they know they are not alone. I know that talent isn't born, it's made... in all aspects of life! Mozart was only so good because his father taught him from a young age; it's all about what you geek out on! So I want to be a teacher who normalizes struggling sometimes, and helps students overcome obstacles. Like, if a kiddo is embarrassed about their voice cracking, I share that it's cool because that means they can yodel! I let my own voice crack in front of them to help them feel safe. I try to flip the narrative! I want to be the teacher I wish I had in grad school.
Q: Can you share a story of a time a tool or strategy really helped a struggling student succeed?
A: Patience! When I was in undergrad, I had a job tutoring music theory. I had a special case where every other tutor had given up on helping one of our peers. He was dyslexic, and truly struggled with music theory, aural skills, and piano class. Instead of giving up on him, I was patient and reminded him to go back and check his work. He was a Music Business major and really needed to pass this one sequence, and we did it! By reminding him he was allowed to take time, as it was one of his accommodations, he was able to succeed.
Q: What’s one fun or unique activity you like to do with your students?
A: I miss (badly) playing DND with my brick and mortar students! Last year I got to DM for some of my favorite students in the entire world. I don't know how all the mechanics of the game work very well, but we had the best time with the stories and campaigns! So much so, I've been taking online sessions this month to learn more!
I also really like anime and exclusively read fantasy books, so I love recommendations from my kiddos.
Q: What’s something your students might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I was (and still am!) a contemporary performer first before becoming an educator, and have toured the world performing. My expertise ranges from Classical to Jazz, Rock to Pop. Funk, Rock, Soul and R&B are my faves. I think that lends itself to kids' modern interests. I love learning about new music and artists so when kiddos share with me that's simply the best!
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to your students, what would it be?
A: Talent isn't born, it's made! It's about how much you geek out about the thing you're trying to learn. And everybody is different, so different amounts of geeking will vary per user!
Why Teacher Spotlights Matter
In a virtual school setting, relationships are key. Getting to know our community — the educators and councilors who teach, guide, and inspire — builds trust and connection within our community. As Mrs. Lasky says “I try to be transparent with students so they know I'm human too. We need to be human.”
Teacher spotlights allow families to see the people behind the screens, the heart that goes into each graded paper and live lesson. They remind us that even though our classrooms may be online, our teachers’ care, creativity, and commitment are very real.
By celebrating our teachers, we also celebrate the culture of learning and belonging that defines Stellar Pines Virtual Academy.
Join Us in Celebrating Mrs. Lasky!
We’re proud to have incredible educators who make a lasting impact every day. Join us in celebrating Mrs. Lasky!
Stay tuned for next month’s Teacher Spotlight, where we’ll feature another amazing member of our Stellar Pines team. And, as always, if you’re interested in joining our community, contact our team to learn more.
