School has been an important part of the past year for students and teachers because there have been so many transitions in the way it is run. Students may have a hard time keeping up with work or continuing to build motivation to actually do the work, but either way, for many students, it has been a challenging year. However, students aren’t the only ones who have been struggling to keep up with the ever-changing schedule our school system has been going through. Several teachers have spoken out about how 2020 has affected the way they teach, their daily routines, and their motivation.
Olivia Tarnowski, a marketing teacher at Watauga High School, “The changes that I made to my routine of being completely remote were going on walks with my dog during lunch, dressing more comfortably, and limiting screen time/working hours more in the afternoons and evenings after the school day.” Tarnowski says that a good way to ensure that you feel more productive throughout your day means consistency, especially when it came to being in the classroom. She says, “The things I kept consistent were waking up at the exact same time, using my planning period to actually plan ahead, and doing small things to continue building relationships with my students. For example, I greeted each student as they joined Google Meet and made a point to ask each student a different question about their daily lives.”
Keeping the bond with students over a computer can be difficult, and for teachers who have never experienced something like this, making sure their students have the ability and passion to learn can be hard, which is why students should remain patient and understanding of their teachers. This can be hard for them too. Although patience needs to be exhibited from the students to their teachers, teachers have been extra patient and understanding of the neverending issues that occur throughout the online school.
Spanish teacher, Carmen Scoggins, says, “I found myself having to be much more flexible and understanding about missed assignments and miscommunication. I also tried a few new tech tools that facilitated the process.”.
This past year has been difficult for everyone so it is important to remain optimistic about the upcoming changes our school system, community, and country may face. World history teacher, Carrie Boone says that one way for students to stay focused on school to “Keep a planner that is imperative. You have to stay organized to stay on top of your assignments.”
One other thing to keep in mind is your happiness; school can be stressful especially in unprecedented times. Boone says, “It’s also important to take time for yourself by doing something that you enjoy. Managing your time will help you have moments away from school work to decompress.” Boone’s advice shows just one way to ensure your happiness, but there are so many more. Even though the neverending changes can distract you, it is important to take advice from the people going through the same thing, or people that have your best interest.
Written by: Sophia Bateman
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