“Taking online classes changed my education by granting me the autonomy to advance academically despite physical transportation barriers. A pleasant surprise was how deeply connected I became to the online community, which inspired me to serve as a tutor and Virtual Buddy with the NCVPS PTC.” – Christopher B.
“Christopher is a wonderful example of a Peer Tutor and very active in many of the activities within the program. Not only did he deliver a Culture Cafe presentation, he also wrote the first Tutor Talk article in 2 years and is already published! He treats all students and teachers with respect, he works hard at everything he does, and he is a great example of a student leader. I’m excited to see what Christopher does next with the Peer Tutoring Center and to see how he inspires other students to get involved in the program!” – NCVPS Peer Tutoring Center Instructional Leader, Niamh Sinclair
Christopher’s Story
I am a 2e student diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD who maintains a 4.088 weighted GPA. My life has been deeply shaped by overcoming personal hardships which taught me resilience, self-reliance, and empathy. I am driven entirely by human impact and a passion to dismantle the rigid “factory model” of American education. What truly makes me who I am is my commitment to student advocacy, holistic wellness, and my unwavering determination to become a transformative upper elementary teacher.
Online Experience
I initially enrolled in NCVPS to pursue Latin because I wanted to strengthen my English vocabulary and master root words. I completed Latin I Honors, Latin II Honors, and am currently enrolled in Latin III Honors.
My advice to other online students is to take full ownership of your learning style, leverage virtual peer support, and build clear, professional communication habits.
Life Outside of School
In my free time, I love playing the trombone, volunteering as an online peer tutor, and managing an educational advocacy account. My favorite television show is Miraculous Ladybug, and my favorite book is Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief. A fun, random fact about me is that I designed my own 8-period calendar system called the Astrometeorological Calendar to fix the gaps between meteorological dates and astronomical solstices. For snacks, I enjoy anything you can grab from a vending machine, and the one item I could never live without is my laptop, which powers all of my virtual learning, writing, and advocacy.
Goals & Future Plans
A major goal I set for this semester was to balance my FTCC dual enrollment teacher preparation courses with my state appointment to NC Superintendent Mo Green’s Student Advisory Council. To reach this goal, I completed early college readiness modules and dedicated myself to representing high school students across the Sandhills region. Looking to the future, I plan to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to earn a B.A. in Elementary Education through the NC Teaching Fellows Program. Ultimately, I will teach upper elementary school in North Carolina and implement my original “Magister Butler Method” to build inclusive, passion-driven classrooms.
Personal Notes
Something else I would like to share is my private belief system, Conwairsicurism, which I created to integrate freethought, secularism, and humanism into an independent framework. I am also proud of my achievements outside the standard classroom, such as placing 3rd in the NC AI Solve-A-Thon with “The Jade Book” app and graduating as a 4-summer CDF Freedom School Scholar back in elementary school. In Classical Latin, my formalized name is Christophorus Pincerna Iunior, and I live by my original Latin quote: “Sine tempestatem abire, aut in ea submergeris!” (“Let the storm pass, or you will be submerged in it!”). Above all, I want you to know that I view every obstacle I have faced as fuel to ensure future generations feel seen, supported, and valued.
Sample of Christopher’s Work
