Remote Learning for All: Insight on how remote learning is still taking it’s toll on Teachers and Students

The current Covid-19 pandemic has crippled the world for going on 3 years now. The state of the world has shifted to cope with the new “norm” for society in terms of work and school. When it comes to school, educators and students have had to adapt almost instantly to try and not hinder the growth of the students. 2 educators were gracious enough to conduct an interview and to share their personal experiences dealing with the pandemic and the education system.

Y. G is currently a 1st-grade teacher in a charter school in Bronx, NY, and has been teaching for 35 years. This is her experiences on the teaching during the pandemic:

B. G is the younger sister of Y. G. She has been primarily a pre-k teacher but is now teaching 2nd grade special needs students in Harlem, NY for 28 years. Her experiences of teaching during the pandemic are vastly different than her sister’s but the same feelings of the flawed remote learning system. When asked How has the pandemic affected your career? She responded with:

“Before the pandemic, teaching was easier, it was more fun and made me happy. You’re with them Monday through Friday, you’re showing them how to socially interact with each other, how to make friends and how to be independent. The students have shutdown, they are far behind and are having trouble catching up as the pandemic has set all students back 2 years. This is causing teachers to try and get them to catch up and learn things that they should’ve learned years prior and teaching through a computer makes it’s harder and sadder as it’s not fair to them or any student and educator.”

She also went on to say:

“I think this will be the new norm. It won’t go back to normal as the littles ones only know about using masks, being on a computer. Not like when we were younger, making friends in person, growing with your peers, and getting that real world experience. People are still afraid that this pandemic will never end, people being wary of those not wearing masks, strangers coughing and the fear of catching covid and giving it to their families and the worst happening.”

Make it stand out

The pandemic has taken its toll on students as older students are able to adapt to the change of learning styles easier than younger students as older students have more readily available access to an internet-connected device as younger students would need a parent or guardian to be present to give them access. Speaking from experience, online learning has its challenges such as time management, having a full-time job, and other responsibilities. This is relatable for any student. There have been several studies such as Remote learning Debate Continues at State Level as Schools Weigh Closures (Ethan DeWitt. (January 20, 2022 Thursday). Remote learning debate continues at the state level as schools weigh closures. Newstex Blogs New Hampshire Bulletin) conducted to represent the data to portray the difficulties for students during the pandemic.

Ultimately, Covid-19 has affected us as a species. With the loss of loved ones in many families, the loss of jobs, the drastic change in social interaction amongst each other, and the drastic change of the education system. Hopefully, the pandemic will come to an end so we can all gradually move back to life before Covid-19 or as close to it as possible and we can all flourish and our children and educators can go back to how learning should be; in-person and growing as a team.