ROYALTON TEACHERS FIND SILVER LINING IN COVID CHALLENGES BY PETER CARAM
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eachers’ jobs in 2020 at North Royalton City Schools and around the country are changing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instruction that used to take place face-to-face is now happening virtually, and several teachers - while admittedly not fond of the change - are also finding hidden benefits. “I do not like online learning,” said Tony Kleem, a history teacher at North Royalton High School. Yet, he enjoys teaching kids and knows that online instruction will protect us and keep people safe; he just dislikes it. Despite his initial uncertainty about this new teaching style, Mr. Kleem has discovered that online learning is not as bad as he thought it would be. It may be different, but “we humans adjust well; it doesn’t mean we enjoy it, but we adjust,” he said. “Every kid has been forced to learn this way, so they’re all on the same playing field.” Kleem does see a silver lining to the changes brought on by COVID. ”Young adults are very adaptable. This might make all of us care for people more, have more empathy and kindness. If we look back at different generations, they all had something to overcome. This is our time to overcome and make the world hopefully better,” Kleem said. The students in Kleem’s class have been helpful not just with participating but helping Mr. Kleem teach them through online learning. “I teach like I normally do. I lecture using the smart board instead of the chalkboard. My smart board is shared with the students at home,” Kleem said. He likes to make teaching fun for himself and learning fun for his students. “I try to play Jeopardy games and take virtual field trips with the students,” Kleem shared. He also has made extra accommodations due to the pandemic. “I know I give more time to hand things in because of Internet issues either at school or at home,” Kleem said. Gina Stabile, ELA teacher at North Royalton Middle School, agrees with Kleem that teaching online is no substitute for connecting with her students face-to-face. “There’s not a whole lot I like about teaching online versus in person. I miss seeing my students and connecting with them in a more personal way. I miss the energy I get from a classroom full of students. I miss greeting students at my door,” Stabile said. She did find value in the few weeks she was able to teach live in the classroom before going back to all virtual. “Initially it was difficult to connect and build relationships with students,” which is something I value so much. However, being that we had a little bit of class time together, it has been easier this time around to connect with my students,” she said. Stabile is optimistic that the challenges students are facing will not hold this generation back. “I think that since this is a global pandemic, we will not be as behind as many are thinking we will. I think
“This pandemic has ta kids can adapt and are
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