The pandemic of 2020 will be remembered for many things. Hopefully, the focus will be on how we persevered. Many professions have had to adjust to succeed. Doctors now perform video house calls, contracts can be signed electronically, and businesses have allowed workers to work remotely. No other profession, however, has been in the spotlight more than teaching. Teachers have had to be flexible as some school districts have opted for completely remote teaching or a hybrid model where students are in the classroom for a portion of the week.
During a recent survey taken by Keystone Teachers Association (KEYTA), teachers were asked to comment on what they have been doing during the pandemic to attend to the needs of their students. Rebecca, an 8th grade English teacher, said that she uses personal videos as writing prompts for her students. Robert, a music teacher, has learned to turn his lessons into multi-media hypertext worksheets (hyperdocs). Though the comments were varied, it was apparent that teachers have had to let their flexibility and creativity shine throughout this past year.
Many teachers have been forced to learn new technology and implement it quickly into the classroom. Teachers have found new programs and websites that have enhanced their lessons. Teachers are using phone calls, posts, texts, and virtual meetings to stay connected to students and their parents. They have joined Facebook groups with other teachers to exchange ideas and strategies. They are determined to use whatever means possible to do the job at hand. They never lose sight that the focus is the student, and it is their job to ensure that learning occurs.
With the vaccine numbers increasing and the numbers of COVID cases decreasing, schools will return, eventually, to the classroom. The takeaway from this pandemic will be that teachers have learned new techniques to add to their differentiated toolbox. They have faced the challenges of this past year with the determination, creativity, and flexibility that is at the core of every teacher. They have displayed perseverance and, for that, we are grateful.
