My Timeline for Emergency Teaching Experiences

By nalton
  • The First 2 Weeks Off

    We left our classrooms for two weeks at the start of COVID with the assumption that we would be returning soon. However that timeline would be extended through to the end of the school year.
  • Continuity of Learning Begins

    We began the journey of continuity of learning (COL) which primarily focused on maintaining the learning that we already had established. We also simplified any new material so that it is manageable for students at a distance
  • The Struggles Begin

    I began to see struggles in myself dealing with an increase in student and parent communication, lack of student work completion, and a lack of social interactions between myself and my colleagues/friends.
  • My Wedding Day

    I got married and was able to decompress and disconnect from the stresses and burdens of my "classroom" responsibilities.
  • First Virtual Happy Hour

    As an 8th grade team, we teachers decided to get together via Zoom to enjoy each other's company and catch up. We were able to express our successes and frustrations with this virtual learning environment in a safe and accepting place.
  • Grad Classes Continue Online

    My grad classes were already in a hybrid model to begin with but when things shut down they went full virtual. We discussed course material, but we were also able to share our successes and frustrations as well as get feedback and suggestions from our teacher and other students.
  • Summer Grad Classes Begin

    In response to the pandemic, University of Phoenix offered online courses for free to educators, so enrolled in 2 of them. my experience was very good and I was able to earn 6 credits over the summer for free.
  • Last Day of School

    I successfully finished my second year of teaching through a pandemic and was able to finally relax for the summer. I knew that in the back of my mind there were a lot of uncertainties about the upcoming school year but it was finally time to start relaxing.
  • School Board Votes All Virtual

    The FCPS School board voted (around this date) to start the first half of the school year completely virtual. This was a big relief for me as a concerned teacher about the dangers of school sickness in general. I had a only a short amount of time to prepare in order to get ready for the first day of school.
  • The New School Year Begins

    The new school year begins in an all virtual setting. Each day consisting of Google Meets with dozens of black squares with colored bubbles and me talking in Spanish to my computer and/or an empty classroom. Students are mostly silent. Parents are very vocal. Some are very supportive and are very helpful, but others are "very squeaky wheels" with a misconception of what this year actually looks like. I'm still taking this year day by day and week by week.