#59 What Florida Gets Right About Virtual Schools with Desiré Mosser

Why Distance Learning?

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, your hosts sit down with Desiré Mosser, a veteran instructional coach supporting over 125 virtual educators at Pasco eSchool and Vice President of BOLD (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). A former brick-and-mortar science teacher turned online education leader, Desiré brings over two decades of hands-on virtual teaching experience, systems thinking, and heartfelt coaching into a conversation that dives deep into what it really takes to make virtual schools thrive—not just for students, but for teachers too.

The episode explores how Desiré transitioned into virtual learning out of necessity, only to become a cornerstone of educator support in Florida’s online education community. From dispelling myths about teacher isolation to building sustainable systems of care, Desiré shares stories, strategies, and moments of growth that challenge the notion that distance learning limits connection. Her experience reveals how personalized, human-centered leadership—and a dash of humor—can transform virtual teaching into a deeply rewarding career.

Pain Point:
Many educators—especially high-performing ones from traditional classrooms—struggle with the transition to virtual teaching. They face feelings of professional disorientation, burnout, and isolation, often exacerbated by the misconception that online teaching is less personal or impactful.

Solution:
Desiré combats these challenges with a highly personal, relationship-first approach to coaching and systems design. She builds trust from day one, treating teachers as whole people with lives beyond their screens. Her tools include visual boundaries for home life, proactive calendar management, and “kudos files” to keep morale high. Importantly, she systematizes this approach through a team of lead teachers who carry these same values into their smaller groups, making large-scale support both scalable and heartfelt.

Action:
Educators and school leaders can apply Desiré's strategies by:

• Building proactive onboarding that prioritizes relationship-building.
• Encouraging staff to design personal schedules that protect work-life balance.
• Modeling vulnerability and curiosity in coaching interactions.
• Instituting a “kudos file” system to celebrate small wins and sustain motivation.
• Training household members (yes, even toddlers) on virtual work boundaries.

These simple but powerful actions help foster longevity, well-being, and excellence in the virtual teaching profession.

🔗 Episode Links

• BOLD – Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida
• SOS Strategies for Online Survival by Desiré Mosser

🎙️ Host Links

• Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
• Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.