About Us

What makes us different?

Unfortunately, the chances are high that your child was taught reading, spelling, and math with ineffective practices and methods that don't align with research and how our brain learns. Your child's teacher isn't to blame. The issue is that most teacher preparation schools aren't teaching candidates what the research says and most school districts don't follow it. We have a systems problem in our country. Learn more about this on the reading side by researching educational journalist, Emily Hanford. Check out her numerous articles and new Podcast Sold a Story.

At The Virtual Classroom, instruction IS driven by decades of evidence-proven research and individualized student data. The science of reading, writing, and math research drives what I assess, what I teach, and how I teach it.

Individual student data drives my instructional focus. All students begin with a thorough diagnostic assessment that pinpoints instructional gaps and student needs. Parents receive a comprehensive data report before instruction begins and they can follow their child's growth with frequent progress monitoring data and teacher lesson reports.

In addition, I am a certified K-6 elementary teacher and PK-12 reading specialist and trained in structured literacy and multi-sensory math.

Who We Are

Woman-Owned Small Business

TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS:

STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA Instructional Level II
Elementary Education K-6
Reading Specialist PK-12
Instructional Coaching K-12: Literacy Emphasis Endorsement

Hi! I'm Ali Burchell, the owner and lead tutor at The Virtual Classroom. For over 13 years, I have worked with a diverse population of students in K-5 Title I schools including exceptional learners, English language learners, students with specific learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and down syndrome. For six years, I worked as an instructional coach creating and delivering professional development for elementary educators in reading, writing, and math. My passion has always been using data to drive instruction and growing professionally. I am a member of several reading and math networks and enjoy learning new research around education.

In addition to teaching at The Virtual Classroom, I work at a university as a practicum supervisor for student-teachers in the college of education. I want to make a difference in the world and know one way I can do this is by training more teachers in the science of reading, educating parents, advocating for best practices in schools, and providing structured literacy instruction to struggling readers.

I reside in central, Pennsylvania with my husband, two daughters, and two yorkshire terriers. I am a proud dyslexia and ADHD mom. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy backpacking and being on the water on a boat or jetski.

Alicia Burchell, M.Ed.

Owner/Lead Tutor & Coach