Teaching and Learning in the Pandemic in Chesapeake
By: Sarah Stewart
Embedded Files
How has the COVID19 pandemic affected teachers in Chesapeake Public Schools?
Learning Target 1:
At the end of this lesson readers will be able to understand how Chesapeake public schools responded to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Learning Target 2:
Understand how teachers have had to adjust their classrooms during the pandemic.
Understand how teaching styles have had to change.
Understand different ways to make virtual learning effective.
The Coronavirus Pandemic
The COVID 19 pandemic has affected both students and teachers alike. It struck Chesapeake in March 2020 and immediately put both students and teachers out of school. Since then teachers and school administrators have been working tirelessly to get everyone back into schools. Teachers had to adjust to doing most of their classes virtual and students had to adapt to an entirely new way of learning.
I am interviewing Mrs. Penny Escobedo. Mrs. Escobedo has been with Chesapeake Public Schools for about 15 years now. She has taught both 3rd grade and kindergarten at Grassfield Elementary. She has been the Chesapeake Public Schools teacher of the year in the past. She is also on the Board of directors of a local daycare and preschool.
Interview Q&A
Takeaway One
Adjust your expectations
Just as teachers are not used to teaching like this, students are not used to learning like this. We as educators need to make sure that we are not pushing our students too far especially right not when things are constantly changing. None of these students have had to learn online before so they are going to struggle and they are going to fall behind, but we have to make sure that we are being as helpful as possible for them. Assign less work or provide more time for work to get done and ensure that all directions and due dates are clearly listed. Make sure to set aside time for students to contact you, and make sure that you provide videos and instructions on how to access your virtual classroom tools.
Takeaway Two
Adjust your teaching style
Mrs. Escobedo said that because she is a very hands on teacher this adjustment has been incredibly difficult for her. It is hard for her to not be able to see her students in person very much. She feels as though the beginning of the year was a struggle for her students as she was not sure what she would get from them and vice versa. (P. Escobedo, personal communication, February 15, 2021) Every teacher has had to completely change the way they do things, covid19 is an ever changing pandemic and we all have to move with it.
Takeaway Three
Be prepared for things to change
We are living in a world that is constantly changing. We in Chesapeake public schools have adjusted countless times over this school year. We started in all online, then moved to two days a week in person, We then scaled back to only in person if parents are comfortable. Then we moved back to all online, after winter break we did two days a week of asynchronous classes and three days of in person. Starting at the beginning of March we are going back to all in person. (P. Escobedo, personal communication, February 15, 2021) The constantly changing environment is tough, but sadly it's what the world is all going through right now.
What has Chesapeake Public Schools Done?
Chesapeake public schools has provided teachers with training classes and other kinds of help for them to get through this school year. Classrooms were given separate desks and everyone was provided with masks and face shields. Students are required to social distance as are employees. It has been a very big adjustment and a difficult one at that. But the teachers and students are resilient.
The Effect of COVID 19
COVID 19 has single-handedly changed the world we live in. Everyone has been affected by it and every will continue to be affected by it. The start of the pandemic took a huge toll on teachers, "Reset your baseline. We're all operating in the shadow of a global pandemic, and it is disorienting and limiting. Business as usual is unrealistic" (Merrill, 2020.).
Adjusting the Classroom
Teachers are having to keep students socially distanced while also making sure they have to social skills they need to keep them going. But, they also need to be able to effectively relay information and teach in a virtual classroom, "Today's learners expect educators to effectively use information technologies in the classroom" (Rediger, Cornia, Albert, 2020.)
Conclusion
Teaching During a pandemic is very difficult. It is hard to know if your students are really able to retain all of the information they are given over a computer screen. Teachers have had to get creative in the activities their students do and providing constant and clear directions is the new normal. Students in Chesapeake are getting creative with their online classes and are very excited to go back to school hopefully soon.
Review Questions
Which of the following is something teachers should NOT do to make sure their students are
getting the best education?
A. Assigning less work
B. Make sure due dates are clearly listed
C. Teach exactly how you would in in-person schooling
D. Set aside time for students to ask questions.
Ms. Park has a student who has not turned in their book report. What should she do to deal with this situation?
A. Ask the student why they have not turned in their work and offer time to help them with it.
B. Confront the student on why they are being careless
C. Call the students parents and ask them why their child has not done their work
D. Put in a zero for the students grade immediately
Answers
Answers
C
A
References
Merrill, S. (2020, March 19). Teaching through a pandemic: A mindset for this moment. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/teaching-through- pandemic-mindset-moment
Redinger, J., Cornia, P., & Albert, T. (2020, August 01). Teaching during a pandemic. Retrieved February 05, 2021, from https://meridian.allenpress.com/jgme/article/12/4/403/445476/Teaching-During-a-Pandemic
Page updated
Report abuse