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Online & Blended Learning
Empower students to reach their highest potential with full-time and flexible online learning solutions.
Pearson
Online & Blended Learning
“E-learning can be life-changing or even lifesaving.”
— Full-time online learning student
How it works
If you're an academic leader trying to address the new realities of online learning, you want to build a flexible and engaging K-12 virtual program that fits your school district, region, or state.
By choosing the solution that works best for you: from full-service schools with teachers provided to pick-and-choose courses and consultative services, you can meet the diverse needs of your students. A Pearson partnership provides the know-how, experience, and time-tested tools to achieve online learning success.
Virtual learning partnership options
Full-service Connections Academy schools
Customizable district partnerships
Broaden opportunities
Provide award-winning, engaging curriculum and expert teachers, in a student-centered learning platform.
Become a district of choice
Meet students’ and families’ diverse needs and expand choices for learning.
Get A–Z solutions and support
Leverage our 18+ years of experience in online education to turn your digital concepts into reality with full support.
About us
18+ years of experience in online schools
In 2001, the first Connections Academy online school was established, and in 2011, Connections Academy became part of the Pearson family. Since then we have:
- partnered with more than 3,000 districts, boards, or chartering authorities to launch online programs throughout the world
- grown to serve more than 70,000 full-time students each year in Connections Academy partner schools
- established 43 regional or statewide Connections Academy programs in 30 states
- received numerous awards for our innovative technology solutions and outstanding staff and teachers
Introducing our partner leadership team
Select an individual to learn more about them.
Tom ap Simon
Managing Director
Tom ap Simon joined Pearson in 2004 and has been successfully leading many aspects of our various businesses. Prior to becoming managing director, Tom was senior vice president (SVP) of finance for growth markets where he focused on building our talent, culture, and financial discipline to drive the turnaround in 2016. He helped lead a sharper strategic focus within the growth division, deliver year over year profit growth, and increase profit margins. As managing director, Tom oversees the Online & Blended Learning division at Pearson. He executes our strategic vision to deliver the best possible services for the schools, programs, and families we support. Tom has a masters of Economics and Politics from the University of Edinburgh.
Angela Bryant
Head of Sales, District Partnerships
Angela Bryant, Head of Sales, began her career in education in 1997 as a science teacher at Mary E Phillips High School in North Carolina. Ms. Bryant went on to hold various positions in public education for 17 years, including a high school teacher/tutor in science and mathematics, high school assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, and high school principal prior to joining Pearson Online and Blended Learning in 2014. Mrs. Bryant leads a sales team nationwide and supports her team and partners with account set-up, implementation, data analysis, and acts as a liaison between all business/financial communication between school/district partnerships and Pearson Online and Blended Learning. Ms. Bryant earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from East Carolina University, and her Master's in School Administration from North Carolina State University. She is a certified teacher and administrator.
Eric Hilfer
Vice President, Software Engineering
Prior to joining Pearson, Eric Hilfer ran Rosetta Stone's language product portfolio spanning curriculum, speech technology, engineering, quality assurance, devops and Agile delivery. Eric joined Rosetta Stone in 2014 from Scholastic and Tom Snyder Productions, where he built and scaled the engineering organization that delivered the award-winning Read 180 and Math 180 intervention suite for K-12 literacy and math. He has been driving technology innovation since the early 1980s and has excelled at bringing rigorous development methodologies and best practices like Scaled Agile and Lean to the mission-driven edtech sector. Eric graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College and conducted post-graduate research in experimental physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Donna Hutchison
Vice President, Sales
Dr. Donna Hutchinson leads a national sales team and works with public school districts, charter schools, and state agencies to design and establish turnkey Connections Academy schools and robust full-time online learning programs. Before joining the Online & Blended Learning division at Pearson in 2010, Donna served as superintendent of Idaho Digital Learning Academy, a state virtual school for eight years, where she collaborated with superintendents throughout the state of Idaho. She has a PhD in Online Education & Curriculum from the University of Idaho, EdS from Boise State University, MS in Educational Technology from Boise State University, and BS in MIS/Marketing from the University of Virginia. Donna is also a certified teacher and school administrator.
Missy Nelson
Vice President, School Operations
For the last fifteen years, Missy Nelson has been a leader in K-12 online learning. Missy started with Pearson/Connections Academy in 2005 as the school leader of MN Connections Academy. Currently, Missy leads the student operations team. This team works directly with schools, school leaders, and school boards to implement the Connections Academy school model in their schools. This includes collaborating with schools on hiring, budgeting, curriculum, training, professional development, state testing, employee relations, and school improvement planning. Missy has a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Texas A & M, Commerce, a Master of Education from the University of MN, Twin Cities, and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Concordia University, St. Paul.
Nik Osborne
General Manager, District Partnerships
Nik joined Pearson in 2016 to lead various strategic, operational, and sales functions in Pearson's HECW organization. In this role, Nik developed several new strategic business models, developed a strong partnership and distribution network, revitalized business operations, created customer centric pricing, and led a $200M+ sales organization. Prior to joining Pearson, Nik led strategic partnerships at McGraw-Hill Education, and served as the chief of staff for the VP and CIO of Indiana University. As general manager of OBL - District Partnerships, Nik is responsible for developing online and blended learning partnerships with K-12 school districts. Nik received his JD from Indiana University's Mauer School of Law and BS from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
Anne Parmley
Senior Vice President, Client Development and Partnerships
Anne Parmley is charged with acquiring, retaining, and supporting our institutional customers. She is accountable for the success of institutional customer relationships, developing and executing growth plans, building effective relationships with key stakeholders, and collaborating with the Online & Blended Learning team to launch and manage programs successfully. Anne has 15 years of experience in education services within Pearson’s School Assessment team where she led over 200 assessment delivery experts to provide comprehensive educational assessment solutions to state, national, and federal organizations.
Jay W. Ragley
Vice President, State and Strategic Client Relations
Jay W. Ragley has been with Pearson since 2013. In his current role, he supervises a team of eight state and strategic client relations directors who manage government affairs, new virtual school development, parent advocacy, and external relationships. He also manages multi-million dollar budgets and virtual school funding and monitors virtual school legislation. In his previous role as director of legislative and public affairs for South Carolina Department of Education, he managed the legislative agenda and communication strategies for the state superintendent of education. Jay is a member of the Pearson Ventures Advisory Group and he holds a BS in Economics from Clemson University.
Michelle (Shelly) Shires
Senior Vice President, Product & Portfolio Management
Michelle (Shelly) Shires is a visionary, collaborative, and innovative product leader. She has 17+ years of experience managing large, complex, and transformational product initiatives with both internal and external, geographically distributed teams in the digital product and services industry. She is a subject matter expert known for establishing and implementing top-notch full product development lifecycle and large-scale global delivery. Shelly is a strong leader who provides organizational direction, development, and coaching, and has been credited for transforming teams recognized for high performance and adaptability.
Sue Shubert
Vice President, School Services
Sue Shubert is a leader in School Services. She has been with Pearson Online and Blended Learning (Connections Education) since 2005. She currently oversees Student and School Academic Services and the Partner School Success teams, all providing direct services to the staff and students of the Connections Academy Partner Schools, District Partner Programs, and Pearson Online Academy. Prior to joining Pearson, Sue was a teacher in Philadelphia and South Jersey. She holds a Masters in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University and a BS in Early Child and Elementary Education from Bucknell University.
Student success stories
We help students develop pathways to success by building on their individual strengths and interests in an online setting that’s both safe and connected to a larger community. Discover how full-time online schools create lifelong learners who are prepared for future school and careers through:
- outstanding curriculum
- exceptional K–12 teachers
- individual attention
- parent-supported online learning
- easy-to-use technology
- socialization, community, and friendships