Commentary: Teachers overcome pandemic’s challenges and limitations
With the initial and sudden onset of COVID-19-era teaching, the shift to digital learning compares to being knocked over by a rogue wave.
With almost zero notice for preparation, training and transition, teachers entered a sort of survival mode — the timeline unfathomable, the framework uncertain and the logistics absolutely mind-boggling. All the while remembering: This is no one’s fault, life just happens.
Teaching is one of my greatest joys, and I am lucky to be in an environment with adequate technological resources and ample peer mentors. But even these simple gifts find stakeholders lacking. Despite school-supplied devices at home or community hot spots, internet service is not a guarantee in every household, nor is a quiet, safe environment in which to participate in online learning. Regardless, COVID-19-era teaching challenges educators’ traditional instructional techniques, while reshaping the learning methods of students. The simple goal is to reach every child and meet their academic growth needs. As most educators understand, we embrace challenges to do what we love in any way possible — pandemic or no pandemic.
Since March of last year, we all have become masters of Zoom, Schoology, Google and so much more, while also trying to support all students — those who are thriving, as well as those struggling with their well-being. It’s no great surprise that teachers are the front line of so many social issues in our society, often acting as surrogate parents, counselors and even disciplinarians. The school building has always been a structured safe environment, and because of COVID-19, we were forced to take this constant space away from kids. Gone are the socialization, square meals, mental/physical health care and comforting classrooms. Not surprisingly, kids are resilient, and most have adapted with maturity and empathy not seen by many adults. With new techniques, reshaped visions and realigned hopes, we soldier forward with the desire of a normal school year in the not-too-distant future.
On the one-year anniversary of the “shutdown,” it has become clear that a normal school year is not in the cards at this time. As always, dedicated educational professionals rose to the occasion. The behind-the-scenes work and decision-making done by counselors, transportation specialists, food services, custodial staff, tech gurus and others is unfathomable. The shift to hybrid learning could not have happened without countless hours of teamwork, dedication and determination. Teachers are taking more work home, self-teaching new technology methods, facing numerous unanswered questions and spending unmentionable hours in front of computer screens. Students, ironically, are reachable 24 hours a day, messaging their teachers with questions and completing work in the most unusual of places and interesting of times. Many are even asking for additional educational opportunities, advanced concepts or extra office hours. All of this makes clear that hybrid learning is a step in the right direction — and often the only direction.
The limitations and challenges to hybrid learning exist for sure.
The continuum of technology experience in education is wide among staff and students and is not disappearing anytime soon. Organizational skills and time management can be difficult for many adults, so naturally, it can be hard for students as well. Kids are challenged by Zoom class times, work deadlines and accountability. Most agree that seeing students in person fewer days a week is not ideal for curriculum, instruction or growth. Teachers are working with students on digital platforms way past the school bell and trying to bring exciting and creative lesson plans into online learning.
Yet, some things remain constant. To see the light in students’ eyes and the smiles on their faces is worth the fight. To develop those ever-important relationships is crucial. Not many will argue with the fact that teachers are known for flexibility and strength when doing what they love and teaching subjects they are experts in. We hang tight to our wins and successes. We are crushed by our losses. We are thankful for the time we do have for face-to-face instruction with our students, even behind the mask. Most of all, we all are hoping and praying for a time when we can return to five-day-a-week instruction with all students, while having greater perspective and new digital tools in our toolbox that we have inevitably gained along this journey.
Dr. Brian Comroe teaches eighth grade social studies in the Cape Henlopen School District. He was Beacon Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for 2020.
