Embedded Files
During this past year, we have had to reevaluate the ways in which we approach teaching. It has been a year of change but of constant growth. Here are a few of your faculty's thoughts and observations about teaching and learning in a pandemic!
“Though this year has been the hardest I have taught yet, there have been so many blessings that have arisen due to our special circumstances. I have learned that Theatre can be very much a virtual medium. I have discovered that kids are craving creativity. They are willing to play and move and be silly online because they desperately need it. The sentiment "Arts Matter" has really rung true for the students this year.”
Anna Botsford, Theatre - West
Live my Life “La La La La..”
For some reason, with our hybrid/remote model, I feel more comfortable being jovial with the students. I often play a song in Spanish and dance a little bit when I see that they need a boost of energy.
Every time I play “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony, I see a smile here and there on the other side of the screen, or the eyes smiling behind the mask of those who are present in class.
I am not sure if it 's the contagious rhythm of the song, or the message or maybe both: “Voy a reir, voy a bailar, vivir mi vida, la la la laaa. Voy a reír voy a gozar vivir mi vida la la la laaa!”
I am going to laugh, I am going to dance, I am going to live my life la la la laaa!
I am going to laugh, I am going to enjoy , I am going to live my life la la la laaa!
Melissa Rais, Spanish - West
It’s all going to be okay
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me now?
You’re muted.
Okay.
I’m sharing my screen.
Can you see it?
Thumbs up if you can see it.
Okay.
Are you there?
Can you please respond if you’re there?
Can you unmute or use the chat?
Okay.
Did you get kicked off?
Can you send me an email?
We’ll figure it out.
Okay.
Ashley Benson, Spanish/English - West
"With technology, if something can go wrong, it will."
-Stacey Locacsio, Psychology - West
Counseling East/west
Chem in a Pandemic: A Double Haiku
by Barb Furner, Chemistry - East
Chem in pandemic!
Harder to teach remotely
Little lab time - boo!
My students are great!
Trying to reach all each day.
Storm rises above!!
We never stopped teaching, we just found new ways to do it!
Kayley Mead, Spanish - East
"I have enjoyed the creative challenge of trying to connect with students and the content in new ways. I have enjoyed “spontaneous scavenger hunts” with students running around their homes for 2 minutes trying to find different types of business products. I have enjoyed reading student surveys and realizing that the students know how hard I am trying. I have enjoyed talking with students one-on-one and realizing how lucky I am to be doing something I love."
Mary Agostinelli
Math & Business - East
"I used to spend half of every sophomore class telling students to be quiet and do their work - now I would love to hear students talking amongst themselves or trying to distract me and get me off topic! Online learning is too quiet!"
Maxanne Most,
Chemistry - West
Location: Harwich, MA
Time: 8:47 am
Dad (whispering to son): I can't talk right now.... I'm online, I have a class to teach!
Wait, why aren't you in school...?
Positive case..? Class next door to yours...? 10 days at home? Oh...
... Wait! Why aren't you online.. it's 8:48? Two hour delay because of snow...? 10:45 start? fine...
Time: 10:44 am. Internet crashes.
Dad (shouting): Who just got online! What happened to the internet...??!
Tom Wooton, History - West
Image provided by Andy Swetz,
English - East
There is Hope Beyond
Chris Abel, History - East
A cold, blue light struggles from the screen
Illuminating the darkness of my isolation
Now a year gone by
...and counting
Moments lost to the relentless ravages of time
Sucked up into the vast soulless empty
of the great virtual abyss
Will this be forever?
Are we eternally changed?
Is all of my existence, all of my humanity
Destined to be monitored by a lifeless machine?
No
Beyond, there is hope
A horizon without screens
Where we can try to get back all that we lost
And build anew,
All which we failed to appreciate
In the time we now call “before”
A great inundation shall be brought forth
A flood, a deluge, a torrent
Of smiles
Of embraces
Of handshakes and clutches
Bumps and daps of all shapes and sizes
Oh, the joy of being alive!
But when the adrenaline fades
Of a life renewed afull
I pray we shall never forget
these moments of quiet despair
That still remain so real
We will someday find the common triumph of humanity
Someday
And perhaps when we look to the east
We will be content
To just sit and watch
Rejoicing
In the light that fills the world
" I look forward to the little personal exchanges I have with students who come to school in person. I miss the relationships I usually develop with students (as Google Meets can be so impersonal...) so I have come to really appreciate any connection I can make with individual students. Whether it is a chat with a student about the fact that they just got their driver’s permit, what the rules are for obtaining dual citizenship, or the best shampoo for colored hair, I enjoy and cherish each and every conversation no matter how trivial the subject matter. These little nuggets of true connection are what is getting me through this difficult year."
Marsha Yalden, English - East
"I have so missed interacting with the students (I feel disconnected) and I cherish the opportunities I have to connect with the students whether it be via subbing, Art Room Overflow, lunch duty, online clubs or popping into Google Classrooms to share some Movement and Meditation. I get so excited to see everyone’s faces. This pandemic has given me reason to “upgrade” my technology skills and to find creative ways to connect. I dream and plan ideas for when we are once again in person together because nothing is as good as seeing everyone in person."
Dawn Spunzo,
Wellness - East/West
One positive out of the remote and hybrid learning? I get to see everyone’s pets! It truly makes my day to see my students’ cats and dogs, and everyone else in the class seems to love it, too.
Claire Monfort, History - East
Image From @HotPaperLantern
“This year has been so challenging in so many ways, but what it has allowed the School Counseling department to connect with students through channels we never imagined. Through virtual meetings we have been able to be more hands-on with the college applications process with seniors and through our night time virtual parent information sessions, we have connected with record breaking numbers of parents helping their students transition to the next step in their education. It has certainly been far from a normal year, but there are definitely some aspects and offerings we hope to be able to keep in the future when things go back to normal - just like we all hope those grocery and Target pick up orders will still be available!”
East Counseling Department
Since I’m not a teacher, I have no reflections to share about student interaction. However, nearly every morning, noon, and night I am interacting with any number of our substitutes.
I wish to give recognition to the dedication of approximately 15 substitutes, give or take, who have been supporting both of our East and West school communities throughout this challenging year. They roll with it without complaint whenever there are last minute additions or changes (or cancellations) to the daily schedules that I email them - often sent late in the evening or in the early morning - for each and every absence that requires a substitute at either campus. Their dedication, flexibility and graciousness has been so appreciated by me.
Denise Hyer
Substitute Coordinator (East and West Campuses)
When the internet is slow and students are overwhelmed, we scrap the Comparative Study and make collective works of art...laughter and awesome discussions not pictured :)
Xanthipi Abel
Visual Arts - East
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