Crystal Cutright joined the staff this year as the Virtual Lab Mentor. Her role is to assist students working in the computer lab on their online courses. Unlike other teachers, Cutright doesn’t teach a specific subject. Instead, she makes sure students stay on track and succeed in their online learning.

As the Virtual Lab Mentor, Cutright doesn’t lead lessons. Rather, she supervises the students in the lab, making sure they stay focused and make progress in their online classes. While she is available to help if students need assistance, her main responsibility is to keep the lab running smoothly.

“I monitor all the students on the computer,” she said. Though she doesn’t have a teaching license like most of the other teachers at Fluvanna, her role is crucial in supporting students with their online education.

Cutright has developed strategies for helping students stay on task. “You can always tell when a student is off task just by their body language,” she said. If she notices a student struggling to stay focused, she steps in to help them refocus. She believes that sometimes a short break is all a student needs before getting back to work.

Many students in online classes appreciate their time in the lab. “I really enjoy the quiet time in the computer lab because it helps me focus on my classes without distractions,” said senior Ethan Ritchey. “Even though I’m working on my own assignments, I can see other students around me doing different kinds of work. It’s interesting to be in a space where everyone is studying something different, and it gives me a chance to learn about topics and subjects that I might not be studying myself,” he added.

Before joining Fluvanna, Cutright worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at St. Mary’s Hospital in the Newborn Nursery and Mother and Infant Unit. She had been studying to become a nurse but had to leave the program for medical reasons.

Originally from Richmond, Cutright has three children and one grandson, and she brings her life experiences to her role in the virtual lab. Outside of school, she enjoys visiting the beach, even in the winter. Being near the ocean helps her relax. She also loves spending time with her family and her large dog, a 160-pound Cane Corso.

Looking ahead, Cutright hopes her computer lab students will feel more confident in managing their work. She aims for them not only to complete their online courses successfully but also to develop stronger skills for working independently.