Educators have quickly switched to remote learning opportunities as the novel coronavirus pandemic disrupts daily life. Last week, Governor Brian Kemp issued an order that prevented students from returning to their schools until the end of year.
Teachers are joining in their students' disappointment, however, all is not lost. Though missing out on the final moments of the school year, they won't have to lose the opportunity to stay on track with their studies.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, 2019 students had about an 82% graduation rate, and it's commonly known that students with a high school diploma or equivalent are typically more successful in the workforce.
Lakeview Academy Dean of Students Mike Lawley, who also serves as a history teacher and a basketball coach, said they were using Microsoft Teams to keep their students and teachers connected.
"We're doing our stuff live on a schedule. So we do four periods a day," said Lawley. He said the high school was on an eight-period schedule, and they split the courses down the middle and alternate each day. "The kids have a schedule, they have to get up, we're taking attendance."
Lawley said just like a regular school day, if someone is late to class they get a phone call home inquiring about their location.
"We're trying to make it as normal as possible," he said. That includes both the class routine and the rules. "If they weren't in class when we met in person, if they're 10 or 15 minutes late to school we're calling the home."
What Lawley was most impressed by as the pandemic took hold of the education system was how much everyone came together to help. He said it was all for the kids and their fellow educators, even from different school systems and cities, we're reaching out with suggestions, solutions and help when needed, in addition to their workload as a teacher.
"Our teachers are working their tails off, they're calling kids and parents on cell phones, they're doing one on one video chats, helping them with homework," said Lawley. "We're trying to have as much one-on-one contact, live, with kids as possible because that's why most of us got into teaching, we like helping kids."
Meanwhile, younger kids, like the third-grade students in Kalen Porter's class at Mundy Mill Academy, as rolling with the punches.
"When we go to the classroom every day, that's our job, that's the kids' jobs, we come in, we're there," said Porter. "But having to do it from home, we're having to - not make ourselves do it, but we're definitely having to set our schedules in a way where it's not just what we do every day, it's not 'normal.'"
Porter said she schedules time to meet with students, making sure they know how to get in touch with their teachers.
"We're having to reach out in ways we don't normally have to, because the kids are normally sitting down, ready to go every morning," she said.
But, she said that some students are doing very well in the new setting, making the best out of their situation.
"We have some kids who are reserved in the classroom, but in the online platform, we're using Zoom... they're a little more talkative. It's like they're not quite as shy. So maybe being in the comfort of their own home or not feeling the pressure their peers' eyes right on them in the classroom has kind of opened it up for them."
Porter has been teaching for 10 years, three of those at Mundy Mill said the whole experience of transitioning from the classroom to virtual engagement has been eye-opening.
"This is definitely nothing I've ever experienced," she said. "It's been great learning how to use technology in different ways. I am not super strong with technology normally, so I've learned a lot over the last couple of weeks and I'm really proud."
Of course, there are new snags both teachers and students must adapt to. "It's definitely hard when you've got more distractions at home and we have our own personal children at home too. It's been challenging, but it's been cool to see how to make it all work."
Students may struggle quickly adapting to a new routine, or they may flourish; they also may develop new or additional anxiety as the world navigates the COVID-19 crisis. One change will help students acclimate to this unusual situation: the state DOE has canceled all state-required spring testing, including the Georgia Milestones tests. Local districts will be making the necessary choices for their students regarding graduation, advancement, retention and other matter. Full information from the state is available here.
Of course, this is just what's being done by teachers in Gainesville, Hall County and other schools on the education forefront. Countless teachers, administrators, staff and others have stepped in to continue ensuring the well-being of their students, from delivering meals to just finding time to talk.
Friday
April 26th, 2024
9:09AM
