What We Learned During Remote Teaching and Learning

Remote Teaching and Learning at Westminster was a new experience for everyone. When the pandemic required the campus to close in

March, teachers had to quickly innovate lesson plans, students had to learn how to connect and engage via Microsoft Teams, and parents had to juggle the changing landscapes of their own lives, while taking a more active role in their child’s daily class schedule. There were highs and there were lows, but we came through it all with a new appreciation for one another and for what and who mattered most. We are grateful for God’s grace upon our community then and now.

Teachers recently shared some of the best, hardest, and funniest memories from their time teaching during the pandemic. Take a moment to read them on the next page.

BEST

• The mute button!

• No commute. Not having to get up as early to face the traffic. • Seeing the children’s faces each day, ready to learn. Sometimes in pjs, sometimes in a blanket, but they were there!

• Being able to teach in comfy clothes! • Teaching students in their homes really allowed me to connect even more with them. They would share their pets and favorite toys. I really got to know them even more than before.

• Being pushed to find new, creative ways to keep students engaged and learning while at home. • I had a “math joke” of the day and daily “shout outs” of anything that the students accomplished that kept things a bit lighthearted and fun!! • They were genuinely excited to greet me each morning. • Seeing students trying so hard despite the circumstances and making connections with parents that I normally wouldn’t make in person.

HARDEST

• Missing my work family. • Finding a quiet work space with everyone in my home also working from home.

• The anxiety of what can and will go wrong each day; Simple tasks can take much longer to do; not hugging the kids; missing our routine and the support of others at school.

• Not being able to interact with our students the way we normally would, or teach in a classroom setting; Not being able to see them all made it a bit harder as well.

• Technical difficulties, internet lagging, and glitches. • It felt like I was working all day and night! • Sitting, sitting, sitting! • Keeping the kids focused. • Not being able to do all the special projects we have towards the end of the year.

FUNNIEST

• One day I taught my live class from my master bathroom because it was the only quiet place. • Seeing them when they think I can’t see them!

• A middle school student created a rotating virtual backdrop for himself of a picture slideshow - all pictures of me and the principal. • Parents answering the questions I was asking my students from the other room. • Kids taking over our Teams call as a presenter before I realized I needed to change the settings. • When a student that didn’t want to finish his assignment said “I’m having computer problems. OK, Bye.” • Watching a girl put on lip gloss before class. She was getting “camera ready.” • Hearing a student asking his sister for an answer, not realizing he was not muted. • Watching a mom on camera actually help her child during a test. • Hearing my dog snore in every lesson video. (She became the class mascot though!)

One teacher also shared, “I am very proud of all of the WCS students and their commitment to the school and teachers during this remote learning.” Another said, “Parents made teacher appreciation week amazing! I felt so appreciated and loved.” Another noted her silver lining as, “I became a lot more proficient on the computer in a very short amount of time!!”

Finally, a teacher remarked how this year would be so unforgettable, “Despite all the hardships, this will be a class that when someone says 2020 I will remember every face and every name!”