Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Ann Holland—Connecting Students to Careers

For Ms. Holland, building relationships has always been at the heart of her work. A lifelong South Carolinian with a background in journalism and career development, Ms. Holland serves as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Cyber Academy of South Carolina (CASC). In this role, she helps students explore career pathways, earn credentials, and connect with opportunities that prepare them for their next step after high school.

The Journey to Virtual Education

Ms. Holland began her career in the classroom, but when the opportunity arose to work virtually, she saw the chance to make an even bigger impact.

“With this job, I get to do what I love most and that’s meeting students, families, and business partners face-to-face through field trips and career experiences,” she shared.

The Glue Between Counseling and Careers

One of Ms. Holland’s favorite parts of her job is collaborating with the school counselors. She often describes herself as “the glue” between counseling and CTE (Career and Technical Education). By carefully reviewing schedules and pathways, she ensures students stay on track toward career-ready credentials.

“Sometimes it’s just catching a small detail that helps a student finish strong,” she explained.

Ms. Holland holds a Career Development Facilitator certification, giving her a strong foundation for guiding students. Combined with her natural curiosity and journalism training, she says she knows “a little about a lot of things” – a skill that comes in handy when helping students explore such a wide range of future careers.

Field Trips = Making Careers Real

Ask Ms. Holland about her favorite part of the job, and she immediately talks about field trips. “I’ve been to nearly every corner of South Carolina with our students, and I love it,” she said. Whether it’s an aviation center, a pharmaceutical company, or a family-owned farm, Ms. Holland finds joy in helping students see careers up close.

She recalls moments when students were quiet during tours: “I’ll jump in with a question to keep the conversation moving. And yes, I’ve collected a lot of college T-shirts along the way!”

This fall, students will visit Cerulean Aviation, NutriMax, and the Farmer’s Telephone Company. Ms. Holland plans to be right there with them, strengthening relationships with community partners and cheering on her students.

Celebrating Her Students’ Success

Graduation season is Ms. Holland’s favorite time of the year.

“I get to award students their college and career honor cord at graduation! I love giving out the silver cords and telling them congratulations.”

Looking Towards the Future

As CASC continues to grow its CTE program, Ms. Holland is eager to expand opportunities for students. “College is right for some, but not everyone,” she said. “What matters is that every student leaves us with skills, credentials, and experiences to move forward into their future.”

Ms. Holland’s story is one of connection—between students and careers, schools and business partners, and education and real-world opportunities. Her passion, dedication, and heart for students are what make her such a vital part of the CASC community.

Everyone needs a Ms. Holland in their corner.

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