Professional Title: Adobe Academy and Business Teacher

Class Year: 2017

Major: Journalism and Mass Communication

Location: Greenville, NC

Education Experience: 23 years

Please share your experience working with students during the pandemic?

Hello fellow Aggies!

My name is Janay Boone and I am a proud Alumna of this prestigious university. Never in a million years did I think I would be teaching. It is one of the more rewarding careers in the world.

This experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a whirlwind of emotions. In the beginning, I was excited! March was the last time I saw my students, and I was actually missing their faces more than I initially thought I would. The county that I am employed in was one of the few counties in the state of North Carolina that decided to have face-to-face instruction. The severity of COVID started haunting me leading up to the first day of school. I can honestly say that I was scared! What I did not expect was the immense pressure of having half of your class in front of you, while the remainder of your students were online. This school year has been tiring. Most days I go home exhausted, with the thoughts of not even returning the next day.

I know I have unpacked the negatives about this entire experience. The one thing that negates everything that I have said is that my students are happy to be back! I didn’t take into account the kids that I had the pleasure of last school year. I didn’t take into account the students whose time got cut short in my class. Those relationships that I built with those students make it hard to even think about leaving this profession.

Has it been challenging? Yes. Have I enjoyed seeing my co-workers and students faces? Yes! It has been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. I am still able to educate my students even though we are having to do it differently. This pandemic has showed the strength and appreciation that educators at any level deserve. We are taking a risk every single day we step into this classroom. For the love of the students, it’s a risk worth taking!

What advice would you give to people during this pandemic?

Be kind. Stay safe. Wear a mask!