On the bright side: How educators are connecting with their students remotely
Sometimes just letting a student know you’re there for them can make all the difference. That remains true in the time of coronavirus. Take the teachers in the West Allegheny School District, for instance, who paraded through town on Sunday to remind their students they weren’t forgotten.
Teachers drove their cars through neighborhoods, holding up signs and shouting words of encouragement to their students, who watched from a safe distance. Across Pennsylvania, PSEA members are finding ways to connect with their students during the coronavirus emergency.
Meanwhile, Reading School District shared videos on their Facebook page of educators telling students they are missed and loved. It includes a link to a Google Drive, where students can find personalized messages from their teachers.
A similar approach is being used by members of the Carlisle Area EA, with members posting three-to-five positive, uplifting, moving, connective, educational and/or funny videos per day of the closure to their public Facebook page.
Countless stories like these are taking place on and off social media platforms across the state. Jackie Bratsis, a teacher from Radnor Township EA, wrote to us to say, “Every morning I send my students and family a short video with our class pledge, a short greeting, and a fun academic activity. I always thank the parents at the end.”
Thank you to everyone out there reminding their students they matter, inside and outside of the classroom.
