At Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation (CPDLF), families play a meaningful role in each learner’s education. Parents and guardians are not asked to become teachers—but they are invited to become something just as important: Learning Coaches.
A Learning Coach is the steady presence behind the screen.
- The encourager.
- The organizer.
- The connector to resources.
- The person who helps a learner build habits, confidence, and independence.
While that role may feel intimidating at first, many families discover that being a strong Learning Coach is less about knowing the answers—and more about knowing their child.
For Dianna and Matthew Snyder of Duncansville, that realization has made all the difference and helped them raise some pretty amazing kids.
Replacing Bells with Intentional Routines
Before enrolling at CPDLF, the Snyder family experienced the familiar rush of traditional school days—early mornings, rigid schedules, and constant time pressure. Their daughter Julianna was capable and motivated, but she desired more support in certain academic areas, the ability to get ahead in others, and more flexibility to pursue her passion for competitive powerlifting.
“Public school runs on bells,” Matthew explained. “In a cyber school, you have to make your own schedule and stick to it. The advantage is that you get to make your own schedule.”
At CPDLF, that shift required intention—but it also reduced stress. Without the daily scramble to fit everything in, the family found a rhythm that worked and allowed them to focus on all the responsibilities that make their life unique. Julianna begins her school day at a time that works best for her, tackles her coursework with focus, and finishes in time to get in some extra hours of training with her powerlifting coach. Due to the flexible nature of her school day, Julianna is able to travel to competitions.
For the Snyder parents, being Learning Coaches means helping structure the day without over-controlling it—setting expectations while allowing flexibility when life demands it. Julianna is given the space to mature and meet those expectations.
Coaching, Not Fixing
One of the biggest lessons Dianna and Matthew learned as Learning Coaches was the importance of guiding rather than rescuing.
“You have to be able to check in and prompt your child to fix things without fixing them for them,” Dianna shared. “That’s where the real learning happens.”
When Julianna fell behind in an area, the family didn’t step in to complete the work. Instead, they sat down together, reviewed what needed to be done, looked at the remaining days, and helped her calculate a realistic plan so that Julianna could resolve her own challenges.
“We’re teaching real life skills,” Matthew said. “Planning, accountability, following through—those matter far beyond a kid’s school years.”
This approach reflects CPDLF’s belief that learning is not about one perfect attempt. It’s about growth and continuous improvement.
“I was more rigid than I needed to be at first with regards to classwork and tests,” Matthew admitted. “I grew up in a ‘one-shot’ mindset of traditional brick-and-mortar school. We’re all familiar with that. But here, the goal isn’t how fast you get it—it’s that you get it. That mindset shift was huge for me.”
Support Makes the Difference
Being a Learning Coach doesn’t mean doing it alone. For the Snyder family, CPDLF’s Academic Team has been a constant source of support.
“If I’m struggling, I ask for help,” Julianna said. “My teachers and learning guide suggest different methods, and they’re really quick to respond.”
Tools like Canvas give families visibility into progress, while resources like the Learning Lab offer in-person, one-on-one support when learners need it most.
“The Learning Lab is an incredible resource,” Dianna noted. “The teachers can see exactly where students are struggling, and the support is immediate. Plus, learners interact with students outside their grade level—it’s a real-world social skill.”
For families new to cyber education, this level of access often comes as a surprise.
“I used to think cyber school was just logging in and checking a box,” Dianna said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Redefining What Success Looks Like
Through CPDLF, the Snyder family has seen how education can adapt to a learner’s life—not compete with it.
Julianna trains rigorously for powerlifting, travels for competitions, and still stays on track academically. More importantly, she’s learning how to manage her time, advocate for herself, and take ownership of her goals.
“This model is preparing kids to be functional adults,” Matthew said. “It’s not just about showing up—it’s about learning how to manage responsibility.”
For families considering CPDLF, Dianna offers reassurance to parents who worry they’re “not qualified” to be Learning Coaches.
“You don’t have to be a teacher,” she said. “You just have to care, be consistent, and be willing to learn alongside your child.”
At CPDLF, that partnership—between learners, families, and the Academic Team—is what makes learning personal, flexible, and meaningful.
Remember: behind every successful learner is a Learning Coach doing something powerful: showing up, asking questions, and helping a child grow—one day at a time.
