Distance Learning

HOW SPARTANS THRIVED, EVEN WHILE APART, THIS PAST SPRING

“Distance learning” is a phrase new to all of us since COVID-19 hit. Who could’ve envisioned at the start of Spring Break that we’d wrap up the 2019-20 school year virtually, from the comfort (or discomfort) of our own homes?

Head of School Nathan Washer sent his first distance-learning announcement as school was letting out for break. Kristi Hall, mom to a preschoolage daughter at WCS, said her initial thought “was one of fear. My husband and I both work full time and I didn’t know what we were going to do to help our children not fall behind in coursework.”

Kerri Weeks, mom to three Spartans and a physician in town, says she had a positive and adventurous outlook from the first distance learning announcement. “My first thought was, honestly, ‘This is going to be interesting!’ My employer was flexible and allowed me to work from home quite a bit,” Weeks said, making it easier to manage a new normal.

While parents were grappling with COVID-19 restrictions, WCS teachers were doing the same. “Most teachers teach because they love students, and the idea of distance learning took away that personal connection,” Lower School Science Teacher Jena Simms said. Even though they couldn’t reach kids face-to-face, teachers still wanted their students to tune in, get engaged, and stay on track with coursework. “The most important question we asked ourselves was, ‘what is the right thing for our students?’”

By the end of Spring Break, with a great deal of individual, team, and division planning, WCS teachers were ready to try out distance learning. In spite of a steep learning curve and some bumps in the road, “WCS rose to the challenge,” Hall said. “I really do feel like my daughter was able to continue learning and to work on assignments that she would have done in person. Her teacher, Mrs. Gallagher, had each lesson available the night before, so I was able to figure out in advance how the schoolwork would fit into our day. The teachers were always there to answer questions and I was impressed with the quick responses.” “I was blown away at how fast WCS had a plan and moved on it,” Weeks said. “While it seemed like other students in the area were waiting for direction, my kids never missed a beat. Literally. I felt SO fortunate to be part of the WCS community! My kids thrived under the virtual learning plan – they loved it! My boys were organized and disciplined, and held themselves accountable. For my youngest (in PreK), I had no idea how far along she was in many areas!” For both Hall and Weeks, distance learning also highlighted the importance of their children’s educators. “Distance learning allowed me to have a deeper respect for what teachers do each day for our children,” Hall said. “The experience really put me to the test and made me realize (even more) how much I appreciate our teachers,” Weeks said. While parents and teachers alike are excited to get back to in-person classes sooner rather than later, there is a silver lining that we hope remains part of routine long after distance learning stops. “Those first weeks were honestly so wonderful,” Weeks said. “We had a lot of family meals, played games, and rode bikes. With my youngest, I was able to spend so much time crafting, reading, projecting, and just talking with her.” “Distance learning allowed us to spend more time together” as a family, Hall said. “It was a time we were able to slow down our busy lives and be together.”

PERSPECIVES ON DISTANCE LEARNING

“There were a lot of crazy and funny moments, but we made it all work and really enjoyed getting to spend so much time together.”

KIM TRINCHET, MOM OF TWO & WIFE OF SPANISH TEACHER SEÑOR TRINCHET

“Our students really brought their ‘A game’ to a difficult situation!”

JESSICA MALLARD, 7TH GRADE MATH TEACHER

“My greatest success from distance learning was strengthening my relationships with classroom parents. It is such an overwhelming gift to work with the parents we have at WCS.”

HEIDI JO GALLAGHER, PRESCHOOL TEACHER

“Great teachers love to continue to learn and grown – the very same things we expect of our students – and there are a lot of really great teachers at WCS that did just that this past spring!”

JILLIAN KING, 9TH GRADE ENGLISH TEACHER

“I thought my grades would drop during distance learning, but I was able to raise some of my grades because I stayed so focused at home. I enjoyed the variety of connecting and learning with my teachers in a new way.”

WARD WEIMAR, 7TH GRADER

“I thought it would be less educating than our regular program, but I quickly realized I was wrong. I enjoyed that we could focus on materials more than before and the fact that I could always see the teacher and not worry about being able to see the board for notes.”