Meet the Teacher

Sarah Sheppard is a 1st-grade teacher at Gainesboro Elementary. Gainesboro Elementary is a school located outside of town. Therefore, many of Mrs. Sheppard’s students live in areas where internet speeds and availability are limited or unavailable. During my field experience, Sheppard's interview provided much insight. Observing her classroom allowed me to witness first hand the challenges educators, and districts are facing daily.

Learning Target 2:

Establish an effective learning environment during COVID-19, including diverse learners and those with limited or no access to the internet.

• • Maximize student learning in remote and hybrid settings, regardless of connectivity. (Share mobile networks, provide low cost broadband)

  • Provide families and students with helpful tips and lessons, considering some children and adults are not familiar with smartphones, or online learning.

  • Sheppard and others at Gainesboro Provide students who are unable to access the internet with take-Home Packets, Papers, Worksheets, along with recorded lessons that did not require internet access.

  • Establish remote learning objectives and lessons with the use of offline features. (Google Drive) (Anderson, J.)

Reflection & Conclusion

Without doubt, the coronavirus has affected education across the world, especially in rural areas, like Gainesboro Elementary. Although school divisions across the country struggled to connect with students and families, teachers and administrators got creative and implemented lessons that met the needs of all students. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted Digital inequality, along with the critical connection between education and connectivity. Although it was not without struggle, and less than perfect, it was schools like Gainesboro Elementary, and Teachers like Mrs. Sheppard who utilized the resources and implemented distance learning material to support and bridge the digital gap their students faced.