Albany educators face new teaching challenges head-on

By Lynsi Musselman

The recent announcement that school will stay closed for the remainder of the school year keeps the virtual classroom evolving.

Local teachers, along with students across the state, continue to face challenges with this new way of learning and finding innovative ways to keep students engaged.

Middle school and high school math teacher Rick Davis said he has two classes that meet through Zoom every day. 

Zoom is a cloud-based service with content sharing and conference capabilities.

“If it weren’t for my Zoom classes, I would want even more than I already do to return just so I could experience the kids and the act of teaching,” Davis said.

Davis said the lower level classes have completely switched over to the textbook online resources. ‘There is good online material that the students can access and learn without me,” he said.

Davis added that it is important to stay up with the lessons and watch for due dates.

“Make use of the resources that are out there and do not just copy your friend’s work,” Davis said. “You will be expected to know this material in the future and it just may come back and bite you if you never learned it in the first place.

Sixth grade math and science teacher Kelli Kreit-ler said she is still teaching the same content but the format is different. 

Kreitler is recording math lessons ahead of time so the information is readily available to students at anytime. She is also offering Google Meet live tutorial sessions each week for any student that needs additional help or review. 

Google Meet is another web-based program to connect individuals online. 

Kreitler said textbooks and digital content are available for science, but classes would normally be doing experiments and lab-based learning this time of year.

“I do think we should try and find some positives in this situation,” Kreitler said. “I am encouraged that many parents are engaged with their students and understand the challenges students face on a daily basis. I know that as a teacher and parent, I am working on both sides of this dynamic. The challenges for both are new and quite extreme.” 

Third and fourth grade math teacher Whitney Bennett said she continues with the standard content but has had to edit lesson plans and assignments to adjust to the change in pace due to the current circumstances.

Bennett said parents should enjoy their kids and make memories with them, but she added that she is a teacher to the core and encourages parents to read to their children and have them do their school assignments. 

“My advice to parents and students is to give yourself grace,” Bennett said. “I am ready to get back in the classroom though. I miss my students so much, it hurts my heart.”

Head Start teacher Nickie Leveridge said the transition may be especially difficult for pre-kindergarten students. 

Her program is posting announcements for parents, reading stories, and creating challenges on the Head Start Albany Facebook page, and weekly packets are going home with parents. 

“We encourage parents to have their children practice penmanship and writing their first names,” Leveridge said. “Journaling during the week with pictures of things they see, and compare/contrast projects are all activities to enhance their skills.”

Head Start is a pre-school program for eligible three and four year olds.