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Libby Ashcraft
A Parent’s Perspective: Making the Most Out Of Remote Learning
As I think back to March 12, 2020, sitting in the multipurpose room at my daughter’s school for a choir performance, chatting with a neighbor about the rumors of school closing due to the pandemic, it is hard to articulate the mixed emotions I was feeling. I had no doubt in my mind that I did NOT want my kids to be in the school building during the pandemic. At the same time, I could not imagine having them home, while still being able to work.
The spring months of school were a huge challenge for everyone. I don’t want to sugarcoat the situation— there were several elements related to school that left me feeling extremely disappointed and let down by the district, even into the summer. However, throughout the entire process, even the messy early days, I have been continually impressed with how well the teachers were able to adapt to this new way of teaching. Our teachers have made this unimaginable situation the best it can be and as I listen to the classes from the other room, all I can think of is that they are my heroes.
In the spring, the teachers had already been with the students in their classroom for more than half of the academic year. While the virtual environment was new
and challenging, they already had a connection with the kids. We were so lucky that our teachers made an effort to keep this connection alive by participating in neighborhood parades. This meant the world to my daughters. Moving into the fall, we all wondered how it works for the students and teachers to only know each other virtually.
Despite being remote, the connection continues. For my daughter in second grade, the teacher keeps her Zoom Another highlight for us has been the less busy schedule. Pre COVID, our kids had full days Monday-Friday. We were out the door by 7:45 am, in school until 2:45 pm, directly from there to the afterschool program until 5/5:30 pm when my husband or I could pick them up. We would usually have a snack ready for them as we would be heading to some sort of extracurricular activity such as dance, music, swimming, or evening school event. I am exhausted just reading this now. Of course, our intention in
For my daughter in second grade, the teacher keeps her Zoom session going during the independent work time so that any kids who want to stay on to chat are able to. This is the highlight of my daughter’s day.
session going during the independent work time so that any kids who want to stay on to chat can. This is the highlight of my daughter’s day. There are a few kids who join her there as well and this has been a great way for her to stay engaged and get to know the teacher and classmates. At the fifth-grade level, I am in awe every morning as the teacher and her assistant start off the day in the format of a morning talk show. Topics range from headline news, school assignments to stories from their personal lives in such an engaging way that help the students get to know them and each other. scheduling these activities was to enrich their learning through nonacademic activities. What I didn’t realize is how stressful this full schedule is for the kids and us. Being forced to slow down has benefited us in many ways. Both daughters are less anxious and sleeping better. The number of meltdowns we experience is minuscule compared to what we had before March. This is something I want to hang on to into our post COVID world.
Another element that has been incredibly appreciated is how flexible and understanding the teachers have been.
My participation in my daughters’ school day is minimal based on my need to keep working. We have missed classes, missed assignments and needed to ask for a lot of help. All along the way the teachers have been willing to do whatever it takes to help get us back on track with patience and grace. And that kindness and understanding is contagious, reminding me to be more accepting of others doing the best they can during this crazy time.
While we all want this to be over, I am so thankful for the positive influence the teachers in our district have still been able to make on our students. My message to all of the educators reading this is that you are making a difference. Thank you for all that you are doing to make this work. Kids are resilient and they will be okay. We are all going through this together and I hope we can all keep a focus on the positive elements to carry us through making the best of the situation.
Libby Ashcraft is a working mom of two daughters in the Chicagoland area.
