Designing Online Learning That Builds Real Connection

May 13, 2026 | Education | 0 comments

We talk with Brooke Helling about how an unexpected path led her into English, ESL, and curriculum work, and why student connection matters as much as content. We also share what makes NorthStar Academy’s online model feel personal, growth-focused, and worth remembering for the relationships. 

• Brooke’s real-life snapshot as a teacher, church leader, wife, and mom of four boys 
• The “accidental English teacher” story and what she learns from ESL students’ resilience 
• Designing a strong learning experience through belonging, buy-in, and student choice 
• Measuring growth with mastery learning, reteaching, and assignment retries 
• Why online school can deepen teacher-student connection through feedback and messaging 
• What traditional sit-and-get models miss in a short-attention-span world 
• Boy-mom lessons on grace, consistency, listening, and saying yes wisely 
• “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” and why excellence points beyond ourselves 
• The hope that students remember people and community most of all

Brooke Helling

I have been an educator for 23 years. I have a bachelors degree in elementary education, a masters degree in curriculum and instruction and a masters degree in educational administration. Additionally, I have multiple graduate certificates. Finally, I have a doctor of art’s degree in English Pedagogy. 

I’ve been married to my husband Kris for almost 20 years and together we have four boys who range in age from 15 to 9. 

In my free time, I love to travel, read and try new food. I adore hot weather and would be OK with winter time going away altogether

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