Round Lake teachers say remote learning going smoothly, with a few challenges

Two Round Lake District 116 teachers say the first few weeks of remote learning have gone smoothly, with only a few challenges.

The two cover the age spectrum, with one working with kindergartners and the other with high school seniors. Both groups were ready to learn when classes began Aug. 19, the teachers say.

As children began taking lessons, assignments and homework via Zoom and online education system Canvas, the teachers found the students are attentive and intuitive in navigating an online classroom.

"I didn't know it was going to be at first, but it is all going so smoothly," said Sarah Hoffman, a new kindergarten teacher to the district.

Hoffman, who previously taught at Zion Elementary School for 15 years, follows a routine schedule for her 20 students. The day typically starts with two hours of live language arts instruction followed by a special curriculum for the day, ranging from PE to art and music. After lunch is math and science instruction. All Zoom meetings are recorded for children to view the lessons if the student cannot log in for the day.

Hoffman says that she is doing the best she can to provide aid to her students in the absence of in-person instruction. This includes counseling and classroom exercises to let students talk about their feelings about how COVID-19 might be affecting them.

"As a teacher, we had to have that mindset and be prepared to teach students remotely. I miss the students and being with them physically. They are present and they know that I'm there for them."

Older students have made the transition easily, as well, but one teacher feels it's more difficult with remote learning for a teacher to establish trust with his students.

High school English teacher James Trottier, who has previous one-on-one virtual teaching experience, says the unnatural barrier of a computer screen makes it harder for students to feel connected to others, which can be especially isolating among the seniors he teaches.

"Students really enjoy school and want to be there, but they'd rather be there in person," Trottier said. "They're making the best of it right now and they are doing a good job of doing that."