During this time of uncertainty, one thing is clear: students, parents and teachers have banded together.
Gilmer Schools have been closed since March 16 because of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Gov. Brain Kemp extended closures through April 24 last Thursday.
Teachers have used online resources to communicate with students during this time. Those in grades 6-12 have used Chromebooks to receive and turn in assignments. Students in pre-K through fifth grade have made use of paper learning packets, which were distributed two weeks ago.
While online classes and remote learning have been a staple of the college landscape for some time, its methods are foreign to many students who are high school aged and younger.
The Times-Courier contacted six local teachers last week to see how they have been handling new obstacles introduced by the Coronavirus and five responded.
Amy Kiser, a fourth grade teacher at Mountain View Elementary, said the current situation “Is unlike anything I have ever experienced in my 24 years in education.”
Tracy Jenkins has been an educator since 1993 and teaches reading intervention at Clear Creek Middle School. She shared Kiser’s sentiment.
“Even when the Great Recession hit (in the late 2000s), we were able to teach our students, watch over their needs and see them daily to encourage them,” Jenkins said. “I, like all my fellow teachers, are adjusting to this new normal while trying to simultaneously reach out to students without burdening them or their families.”
CCMS sixth grade science teacher Tina McDaniel discussed the schoolwork balance and keeping students engaged.
“The most academically challenging problem I have faced has been making sure we are creating a balance with the students so as not to overwhelm them, yet keep them educationally informed,” she said. “We, as teachers, try to make sure we give them meaningful assignments that they can feel successful with and complete by themselves or with little help from their parents.”
Online resources and technology have eased the current situation and allowed learning to continue, but those interviewed do not believe it can take place of or be as effective as traditional methods.
“We are communicating as much as possible, but personal interaction will always be superior to technology in those teacher-student relationships,” Jenkins said. “Those relationships are the basis for excellent learning.”
The absence of interactions has not been lost on McDaniel.
“The most emotionally challenging part of all of this for me is not seeing my students on a daily basis,” she said. “I worry about them and their wellbeing when I don’t see them, especially under these circumstances. The routine of not greeting them in the morning and seeing their faces to ask them how they are doing is hard for me as it was always one of the bright spots in my day.”
While the situation is not ideal, Kiser is thankful for the ability to quickly help students when needed.
“We’re lucky this happened during this period of time when we have internet and ways of staying in touch through that,” she said. “I don’t know what we would have done years ago when I first began teaching, and we didn’t have the technology that we have today.
“Yesterday (last Wednesday) I used a program to send a video to my students and it lets them video back. Many of them did this, and it was adorable to see them all excited to talk to one another. I am so thankful to have wonderful parents who help their kids and who are not afraid to reach out to me when needed. I feel like we are making the best of this very difficult and scary time.”
Educators all over the country have had to adapt and learn how to teach in the current environment. They have built a web of support to ease the transition as ideas and best practices have been shared beyond local levels.
“I am absolutely thrilled by the way that educators from around the nation have banded together on social media to share resources with each other,” said Mary-Melissa May, a biology teacher at Gilmer High.
“It has been rewarding to see our school staff rise up to meet the needs of our students. My colleagues have been very positive and upbeat about trying new methods of teaching. Everyone has worked together in a timely manner to address challenges as they arise. Our school leadership has been proactive and responsive to the needs of both students and teachers.”
As students continue to spend time apart, May believes their ability to receive and complete assignments has “given them some sense of normalcy.”
For the duration of school closures, students in sixth through 12th grade will continue to complete assignments in virtual classes online.
Assignment packets for students in pre-K through fifth grade will be distributed by email, at designated pick-up locations at schools and via buses from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the school system’s Seamless Feeding Program.
Tests on hold
Standardized testing such as Georgia Milestones, SAT and ACT have been suspended for the time being. Gilmer High’s dual-enrollment and system test coordinator Ashley Stover was able to shed some light on the current situation.
“I am absolutely amazed at how efficient College Board has been with sharing information about SAT cancellations and AP exam changes,” she said. “My dual-enrollment contacts at Chattahoochee Tech, the University of North Georgia and Dalton State have all been responsive to questions and concerns. Chattahoochee Tech has made it possible for dual enrollment students to take the necessary placement test online from home.
“UNG and Dalton State are working to find possible ways to allow potential dual-enrollment students to meet admission requirements now that SAT and ACT dates are uncertain for the remainder of the summer.”
A message from the superintendent
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs reached out to all of the school system’s employees by email last week and praised them for their strength, teamwork, commitment, resilience and sacrifice.
“There are many questions about how extended school closures will affect school life like grades, promotion, prom, graduation, and so much more,” she said. “We are working to develop the best answers possible to those questions. There is no doubt that we are in uncharted territory and an unprecedented time; however, fear will not take us anywhere.
“We need to be proactive and kind to one another as we stay as safe as possible. We are resilient people. We are all extremely proud of your commitment to our vision and mission during this most trying time.”