PEORIA, Ill. — Another school year is almost in the books.
Richwoods High School teacher and coach, Patrick Hogan, said when the pandemic started and classes were moved online, teachers received five days to plan.
“We really used that time to collaborate within our own staff and departments on what’s this going to look like for us, how can we best serve students,” Hogan said. “And to really help teachers, like myself out, we weren’t sure comfortable with technology.”
Hogan said remote learning has been a learning curve for both teachers and students.
“I think that’s been the best part for me is just learning from other teachers, and figuring out, hey what are you doing that’s working so I can try more of that,” Hogan said. “Or, hey we are running into this problem, what are some ways that we can fix that?”
Technology wise, Hogan said the students may have been more equip to handle the transition than teachers.
“Students have kind of help troubleshoot teachers as they go as well,” Hogan said.
Engagement with the students went better than anticipated. Even though students are at home, they have other responsibilities along with school.
“A lot of times our students are taking care of younger kids, helping them with their remote learning. But, they’re also working themselves,” Hogan said.
Students would still reach out about school work if they missed the live sessions.
Social and emotional communication is still important during this time, and Hogan said seeing the students learn from home has brought out more personality.
“We kind of start all of our discussions just with what’s going on. Kids will tell me what they’ve been doing, we talk about what are the good thing about learning from home, what are the bad things,” Hogan said.
Hogan said one of his students was moving out of state so they chatted for some time about what that student has been going through.
Talking to students on a personal level helps give them a sense of normalcy.
“I think it’s very important for their social/emotional learning,” Hogan said. “Our administration really focuses on the whole child.”
The class of 2020 is missing out on the classic senior activities. Hogan said some students are struggling with that loss.
“Staff and administrations and schools all over the place are finding creative ways to honor those seniors,” Hogan said. “I think they’ve really appreciated that.”
Yard signs have been made for seniors, personalized graduation cards, and lighting up playing fields in honor of seniors.
Hogan said a message for seniors is use this time to prepare for the future.
“Whatever it is, and use the adversity that you just went through in your senior year, use that and learn form it and grow from it. Adversity can kind of be our best teacher if we allow it to be,” Hogan said. “Seniors right now, you’re going through adversity like no senior class has seen before.”
Hogan said he appreciates what Richwoods Principal Brent Elliot has done this year.
“He’s leaving us this year and we’ve all learned a lot from him, and are better teachers from the freedom he gives us to do our jobs,” Hogan said.
