Professional Title: Teacher-Grade Level Chairman

Class Year: 1997

Major: Elementary Education

Location: Maryland

Education Experience: 20+ years

Please share your experience working with students during the pandemic?

Working with young children during the pandemic has been challenging and fulfilling. The challenge comes with having to transfer years of knowledge, skills and abilities as an educator into the virtual platform. Having learned how to teach in a traditional classroom environment and subsequently mastered the mechanics of educating children in the same environment, makes educating in the virtual world challenging. In essence, I have become a novice teacher all over again by having to learn to teach engaging lessons outside of my comfort zone. Yet, the fulfillment comes when students continue to log-in to my virtual classroom day after day still smiling and looking to me for their connection towards academic enrichment and advancement. So, my experience is definitely two-fold but I’m invigorated by the achievements of my students as well as my own fortitude throughout this process.

What advice would you give to people during this pandemic?

My advice during the challenging days amongst the pandemic is to take a breather and practice self- care. The world is suffering in ways that many of us have never seen. This amount of suffering can bring about a lot of stress, anxiety and strain. Therefore, do what you can to be well emotionally and physically.