Once we were given permission to use this application, my classes got measurably more productive. I gave a Google Survey at the end of the school year and my student said that this was their favorite part.

https://pioneerathletics.com/stem-education-for-kids

Pioneer Athletics partnered with Pam Sherratt of the Ohio State University's Turfgrass Management program to produce some short turfgrass focused videos to help provide some online materials for students and teachers alike.

https://www.seedyourfuture.org/

Non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of horticulturalists. 

https://longwoodgardens.org/

This is just one example, but these websites often have virtual tours and scavenger hunts. Or you can create your own scavenger hunts using multiple botanic garden websites.

Valuable app to keep in contact with students without giving out a personal phone number. 

Communication is the key to success in almost every career field, and that is certainly no different for school. It is imperative to stay in contact with families when we are under normal circumstances, but it is even more important during virtual learning. It is crucial that families no what is going on and hold the students accountable like we would when in person. If everyone is on the same page, there should be no surprises or excuses.

I found it helpful to send out a weekly checklist of what we would be doing each week. Students were free to work at their own pace, but were also expected to be present when meeting online. This checklist helped them keep track of what they needed to be doing each day. This is a great way to teach them how to manage time and use task lists to accomplish things.

Let's face it, Career Tech is a hands-on field. Most of our students weren't made to sit in front of a laptop or iPad all day unless it is to be on TikTok or Snapchat. Finding ways for us to incorporate some hands-on projects for them will enhance what they are able to take away for our virtual time together.

This may be taboo, but I made visits to my students (social distanced and safe of course) to deliver plant material for some small projects. The smile on their faces made me feel great. I'm sure you all saw heart-warming videos of teachers teaching from outside the window and things like that. Why can't that be you? Find a way to keep building those relationships.

This is my favorite part. I love creating content and I love standing up in front of my classes proclaiming how AWESOME plants are!! I bet some of them actually enjoy that too. So, teach some of those same lessons that you would in person, just record yourself. You all have a smartphone that is a better video camera than most movie studios used when we were growing up. You have the knowledge and the resources so what's stopping you. 

Working with my advisory committee and my industry network helps me to stay current with industry standards and needs. During remote learning, they also help me provide extra material for the students wether that be by donating materials for projects or allowing me to do virtual field trips and interviews.

Our CTSO is the FFA. Students are automatically enrolled in FFA as a member of the program. The FFA provides a leadership platform for those seeking the responsibility and a social environment for the students to be active in. Finding a way to continue these things during remote learning needs to be a high priority for us.