Classes began in several Kentucky school districts Wednesday, but for most students and teachers, the classrooms were their homes. Alicia Henning teaches Arts and Humanities, Theatre and Film at Dunbar High School in Fayette County. She started her 19th year as an educator unlike any other. First up was a virtual rollcall.
While the last school year ended on-line because of COVID-19, there wasn’t time to set up a system that mirrored an actual school day. Today, students met with teachers on-line during their scheduled class time and Henning said she’s starting the semester feeling optimistic. “The technology is hard but as we figure it out over these first few days I think it’s going to be a lot more engaging for the kids and definitely a lot of one-on-one interaction with them which we did not have in the spring.”
And as always with new technology, there were still a few bugs to figure out. At the start of one class students weren’t able to hear Henning and during another, she had to remind them to show their faces on the screen.
Despite better planning, technology and access for all students, Henning said there’s still one element of her job that can’t be replaced.
“I miss kids. The reason I teach is not because I love computer programs. It’s because I love kids. And so not being able to be with them and not see them face to face, I was struggling this morning. I was like hey kids, could you at least put a picture of yourself on your screen so I can see what you look like? Because not being able to have that face to face interaction is definitely hard on us and them. So hopefully this won’t be forever but in the meantime, keeping people alive is definitely worth it.”
Many school districts say they will reassess virtual learning in six-week increments or once the number of Coronavirus cases begins to drop.