more↓Hi, My name is Lisa, I am a high school teacher. I am 53 years old and this is my 29th year teaching Spanish, levels 1 through AP.
With the exception of one week my school has been in person.
Some students did opt to receive instruction virtually instead of returning in person. I teach one of my four classes virtually. Last semester my average in person class size was probably twenty-five. My state made the world news for having the highest rate of increase in the spread of COVID 19. At times, teachers have supervised other classes when there were not enough substitute teachers.
Before school started, it appeared students would attend classes every other day or virtually. There was enough parent push back that this did not happen. For the safety of the children and the adults I wish the district had followed that model. I have been quarantined once. I could have left sub plans and enjoyed my break but I chose to teach them synchronously/virtually. It went well. It did alter my husband´s work as he was remodeling our house. I am fortunate not to have small children to contend with at the same time. I chose to work from the school when the district went virtual for a week.
The pandemic has impacted both in person and virtual learning. I have a large number of students who are working public jobs. A few of those doing virtual school are sometimes working during school hours instead of attending class. They are focused more on the out of school job than their job as a student. Students are stressed just as adults are stressed. While students may not be fully mastering subject content. They are definitely receiving a real-world education at this time and teachers are working tirelessly to provide a good quality education for every student.
I hope the vaccines can be rolled out in a timely manner and the issue of how to proceed will be a mute point. Meanwhile, I wish that high schools and universities, at a minimum, would do virtual instruction until the adults in the building have received both doses of the vaccine. I feel this is unlikely though, given my district´s approach thus far.
Thank you but I really wanted to know more about your feelings. Never mind, let's hope someone will agree to share his experience. Have a great day, Amélie.