As a student or parent, how has the transition from online to on-campus learning affected you?

Joel Smith, Portland, OR

"I have fairly severe ADHD, which means a defined schedule is very helpful to me. Online classes, I tend to delay literally everything until 12 hours before the end of term deadline. I can not wait until we can safely have in person gatherings and classes again. (Sure, maybe that's a *me* problem, but it IS real)."

Gracie Curtis, Western Oregon University

"As a student, transitioning back to in person learning has been very beneficial for my education. I learn best when surrounded by peers as well as having interactive and hands on lessons."

Tera Tracy-O'neill, Portland, OR

“As a parent, I believe that the ‘in-person’ learning experience will offer my children more than I ever could,…….despite my attempts.”

Jen Osterhaus, East Portland, OR

"As a working single parent, it helped that my 17 year old is pretty self-reliant and distance learning wasn't really an issue. I never had to worry about them falling behind with the curriculum. However, with them back in in-person learning, the challenge has been weathering through severe anxiety and the effects isolation has had on them from the past year due to the pandemic."

Debi Rivas McAusland Klem, Santa Clara, CA

"As a parent of a child who finished their high school experience in distance learning, I couldn't wait for her to be back in person her 1st year at JC...only to find out that they were still distance learning. It has been a horrible experience for her."

Brandon Hampton, Portland, OR

"As a parent of a student with special needs, home schooling worked WONDERS for him. He went from a kid scared to go to school for fear of being bullied, which sadly in turn made him run away multiple times to THRIVING. Coming back to school fulltime has been a VAST improvement between his social issues to academics. I've never been more proud of his achievements."

Andrew Nguy, Portland, OR

"Having the structure and environment of in-person classes has really improved my focus and overall learning experience."

Baojia Duong, Portland, OR

"Being back in person changed the views on how my learning experiences since it was different than expected."

Keelie Duncan, Washougal, WA

“The transition from distance learning to in person made apparent the emotional toll the pandemic has taken on my child, pointing out how lonely she really was and how much anxiety she has gained from the turmoil of the last 18+ months. “

Kim Crosby, Bend, OR

"Not a parent or student:

As a teacher, I miss seeing my students’ pets and getting to bring my own fluffy dog to classes. I miss getting to go on short walks at lunch and wearing sweat pants every day.

As a teacher, the transition back to in person reveals even greater and inequalities than we had before as well as the depths of my community’s political divide."

Jynx Cat, Portland, OR

"As a parent, it’s been jarring, overwhelming at times, and very anxiety provoking. Still, see a much healthier child with in person school (Teen) and a change of scenery/peer interaction. As a teacher of tiny elementary school kids, I see great anxiety with social interactions, but MUCH happier children being with their peers."

Nancy Rook, Norfolk, VA

"As a teacher I preferred face to face. Having to sit in front of a computer to 'teach' was challenging. Students would turn off the sound, watch TV, play games, etc. and would not 'engage.' Face to face students did not miss out on the opportunity for hands on activities, interacting with classmates, and gaining motivating from peers to behave, engage, and learn!"