TL;DR: Distance learning helped us connect. Rather than going “back to normal,” educators can take all of the things learned during COVID to make positive changes going forward. Why I’ll Never Go Back to “Normal” I won’t lie to you. There were days last year that I taught in pajama pants, shoes-off, with a cat in my lap. Days where … Read More
Building Classroom Community in a Virtual World
TL;DR: Strategies for building classroom community in a virtual world include using a user-friendly online platform, teaching expectations, utilizing breakout groups, assigning roles, creating goals, having a plan for students to seek assistance, providing opportunities for communication, and celebrating successes. Learning environments are crucial for providing students with opportunities to exercise their strengths and to overcome their weaknesses. A school … Read More
How can I implement the Grid virtually?
TL;DR: Implement the Grid virtually by creating a daily routine, setting expectations, making the Grid easily accessible, keeping it simple, using videos, keeping yourself organized, assessing students in a variety of ways, and communicating with stakeholders often. Adjusting to a new learning structure can take time for you and your students. Give yourself grace as you and your students adapt … Read More
Counseling: An Innovative Approach to Listening
TL;DR: Counselors can continue to support school communities by digitally providing resources, ideas, and learning opportunities. CASEL’s SEL Roadmap for Reopening Schools helps guide counselors’ efforts to connect with students. There is value in all educators delivering SEL content to students. Resources from American School Counselor Association (ASCA) are shared. “We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen … Read More
3 Ways to Support Students Virtually
TL;DR: Relationship maintenance with students through a virtual environment. Three tips to support students: a virtual discussion space, a survey check-in, and videos! Teachers are resilient. We make a million decisions a day that revolve around how we can best support our students, while creating the best environment for them to learn. Until one day, our brick and mortar classrooms … Read More