Staff Spotlight: Rebecca Itow

What is your name and what do you do; how long have you worked here in OVPUE? 

I am Rebecca Itow. My students call me Dr. Itow and my papers read Rebecca C. Itow, but I really prefer to be Rebecca 🙂 

My first work in OVPUE was conducted with my PhD advisor in 2012 and then as a Research Assistant for Pedagogy and Assessment from 2013-2015 with Mike Beam, when I worked with IUHS teachers and staff to develop a new model of asynchronous online learning that facilitated interaction between teachers and students, and between students and content to help the school meet NCAA and accreditation requirements. It was in this graduate work that I studied how teachers initiate change in schools through their own learning, where the notions of IUHS as the world’s first online laboratory school was born, and when I fell in love with IU High School Online.  

I officially joined OVPUE staff as IUHS’ first Principal in December 2018. My graduate work flowed directly into my principalship, and has blossomed into a new Responsive Online Pedagogical Model that guides curriculum design and teacher professional development within IUHS and across Indiana. A decade after walking into OVPUE, it is still a privilege to come to work, and an honor to lead this school every day. 

What three traits define you? 

I keep a swing in my step, a song in my heart, and stay laser-focused on my goals.  

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this? 

I would be flying on a trapeze in the circus. Or singing jazz. Maybe I’d be a glass blower or a ballerina. Directing theatre was amazing, but I couldn’t make enough money for gas to get to the theatre, so that’s out. I loved working in a medical genetics lab and Tourette’s Syndrome Clinic at City of Hope, but my eyes can’t handle looking at microscopic things any longer. Whatever the context, I would definitely be teaching in some capacity … that I can guarantee!  

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? 

Yes! For my next learning adventure, I want to dive deep into the history fibercrafts. I want to learn about the ways history has been passed from generation to generation while teaching children to make useful, useable, and beautiful garments. The stories preserved in ancient fiber arts hold keys to our past that can inform our current understandings of the world, and I want to glean as much as possible from the women and men who have found joy in weaving function and beauty. 

What challenging thing has happened (to) for you, and what did you gain from it? 

I hated high school. I hated it so much. I cried every day. It was awful. So I became a high school teacher with a mission to make the high school experience better for children like me. Being a student with learning and neurological disabilities while having an independent spirit and academic prowess gave me the ability to see students and learning and curriculum design with a unique perspective. I gained a passion for using my experiences to improve learning for all people.  

Now I get to lead a school for all those who find our traditional structures are not serving them. It is a humbling thing to facilitate a safe learning environment that can offer students an opportunity to feel seen, successful, and supported without stigma or judgement; to work with families to help them realize that “traditional paths” are not always the appropriate path for this individual, and that our work is growing healthy, critically thinking, productive and contributing citizens of the world.  

How do you define success? 

Success is positively impacting another person in ways that help them achieve their goals.  

What do you do in your spare time? 

I sing and I craft, mostly in fiber arts. My knitting is always in my bag, and I love to “test-knit,” which is like proof-reading knitting patterns.  

What is a favorite book, movie, and/or tv show that had an impact on you? 

Playing Dorothy in The Wiz and Wendy in Peter Pan taught me that (a) I have everything I need to solve a problem if I would only step back and see it, and (b) “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it” (J.M. Barrie). The students are watching (Sizer and Sizer) taught me that (c) I am a model for learners in all that I do. These three texts shape every step I take.  

Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? 

Give me California sunshine and sea air in a jar! 

What is your favorite thing about working at OVPUE? 

I love the people of OVPUE. Everyone here is focused on helping students find their paths to success with the most appropriate practices for this student today. That’s beautiful. I love learning with the people of OVPUE!