How Do We Feel About Full Time School?

by Sylvia

Have you ever wondered, "Oh, I wonder what teachers think about full time school, how do they feel about it?"

Or "I wonder how my friend likes full time school?”

Well I have got your answer. Here are 7 responses from 5 teachers and 2 students about what they think about full time school.

Ms. Snider is a 5th grade teacher in Mac 3 Oak and Ms. Snider says, "I really enjoy full time school. I think there is a lot more movement and I like how students get to collaborate more." Ms. Snider also likes that students are getting more practice in subjects. Ms. Snider feels she can make more connections now that she is seeing students face to face.

Ms. Knight, the library teacher at Lake Bluff and Atwater, really loves full time school, but she is not a big fan of all the renovations that still need to be finished. Ms. Knight does not enjoy the masks, not a shocker but she understands why we need them.

Ms. Miller is a 6th grade teacher in Mac 3 Oak and she feels happy to be able to welcome students back face to face learning. Connecting with them is different online. At the same time Ms. Miller understands it’s important and necessary that Lake Bluff and Atwater provide both in person and virtual options so everyone can pick the mode of learning they need.

Ms. Miller says, "Students are doing an amazing job reconnecting, staying safe, and learning."

Katie Harn is the Recreation and Fitness Center coordinator for Shorewood and Katie says she likes it in person because she thinks social interaction for students is a good thing.

Ms. Gruber is a 3rd grade teacher in Mac 2 Oak. Ms. Gruber loves full time school. She says the best part of being a teacher is being with students, hearing about what’s going on with them, seeing their smiling faces and helping them navigate things that are troubling and challenging. Ms. Gruber also enjoys teaching in person because it’s easier to give students opportunities to work with each other. Ms. Gruber thinks working with partners and small groups makes learning easier and more enjoyable for most students. Ms. Gruber is happy that they get to do Science and Social Studies now that most of us are back in school. It was difficult to find enough time for those subjects when we were all virtual.

Jonah is a 5th grader in Mac 3 Oak and he says, "I like it better than virtual and hybrid because students have recess and lunch.” Jonah also likes that he is not sitting at desks all day, and that there’s more movement. Jonah enjoys full time school because he gets to see his friends.

Nyah is also a fifth grader in Mac 3 Oak and Nyah likes full time school. Nyah also thinks it’s safe here at Lake Bluff because we have desks and masks and barriers at lunch. Nyah also says she can tell teachers and staff want to keep us safe, and I think that too! Although Nyah says it’s not like what it was before Covid, she understands and still likes it!