Distance Learning: Teachers are affected too

Students aren’t the only ones trying to navigate online education

By Macy Hernandez

Reporter

Distance learning has now been in session for more than two months now and many students and parents are struggling with the challenges of the new schedule. But they don’t always see the hard work and time teachers have put in to help students succeed.

School has been a struggle for everyone. So how are teachers dealing? Math teacher Harlen Elrich hasn’t really changed his perceptions as a teacher.

“I still have a real passion for teaching,” said Elrich. “That has not changed. I am really just sad for the students that are missing out on a decent education. I think they are really losing out by not being able to be in the classroom. There is so much more that is being taught than just the subject, that students are missing out on by not being here.”

English teacher Elison Baird said she has been influenced to be even more creative and to try even more new things because everything is so new and different.

There are a lot of misconceptions about distance learning and in most classrooms, teachers are learning the best practices at the same time as students. Online is a whole new concept and the teachers are really trying to reinvent their curriculum.

“I think the biggest misunderstanding about teachers is that we know everything about how to teach our classes online,” said Baird. “We are learning as we go, so we are bound to make some mistakes, but want to make it work as best as possible.”

Most people would think that teachers know everything when it comes to online learning. In reality, teachers are also adapting to the new change so there are bound to be mistakes. The only thing that matters is that teachers are trying their best to make everything run smoothly.

“I wish parents would understand that we don't mean to confuse or overcomplicate anything,” said Baird, “but that we are using new apps and asking students to do more tech related things because we truly want what is best for them and we see that is the direction education and the world is moving.”

Social distance learning and teaching can also be hard on the way people feel from time to time. The teachers want to get to know their students in order to build deeper connections rather than just talking to a screen for six hours a day.

“I think many people just believe that it is just as easy for teachers to work from home as in any other industry,” said Elrich. “My wife works from home right now, and she loves it. But she doesn't have 160 students that she is not getting to see in person. She just has a handful of people that answer to her and they talk all the time by phone, by Zoom, and other means.”

But, according to Elrich, teachers are responsible for 35 students per class, some who do not turn on their cameras during the Meet.

The relationship between students and teachers is also strained. Students are not getting to know teachers and they are not able to create the same bond with them as they usually would. For students, it is important to understand that bonding with teachers, even through the screen, can make all the difference for a sense of normalcy.

“We don't even know what they look like,” said Elrich. “It is much more difficult for us to work from home. I don't think most people understand the love that many of us have for our students, and how it is really affecting us to not be able to see each of our students in person every day, and be able to talk about things other than teaching, just to get to know them on a personal level. It is really hurting us right now.”

As time moves on, teachers will continue to adapt to the changing environment.

“I think teachers will continue to learn new ways to engage students through a screen and how to forge those relationships with our students that mean so much to use in new and exciting ways,” said Baird.

Most teachers are eager to get back to the classroom with students even as COVID-19 numbers spread.

“I hope that we are able to return and be able to do group work, labs, and projects which have been lacking this year once it is safe to do so. I hope parents have seen how difficult it can be to keep kids engaged in learning for hours at a time and have a new appreciation for the work teachers do,” said chemistry teacher Zachary Eagleton.

Living in a time like this is hard, but in the words of Elrich, “teachers have no choice, but to adapt”

“If you can't adapt to what is going on, then you will not survive as a teacher,” said Elrich. “Many are already leaving the profession because of what is going on right now. So the choice, right now, is, adapt or get out. This is sad too, because there are many good teachers that are leaving.”

Parents also need to understand how much the teachers really care about students. There are many extra hours that are put into making sure students are receiving the education that they deserve.

“We got into this field because we care about children,” said Elrich. “The amount of work that we are doing right now is at least double what we normally do, but we do it, because we love our jobs, we love teaching, and we love our students”

In the future, Baird hopes this experience will help her grow as a teacher.

“I hope I can look back on this time as a challenge that I was able to adapt to and can enter the next phase of teaching with new skills developed from online teaching,” said Baird.

There is a lot to come in the future and with that, there is still a lot to learn. So just hang in there and try to stay positive. Always remember that your teachers are going through it all with you at the same time as you.

“All change is hard, but it is also an opportunity for growth and we are all doing our fair share of growing this year,” said Baird.