Going Back to School in a Changed World

Going Back to School in 2020

The return to school this year is invoking a range of feelings from teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, parents, students and other school staff. Whether going back to school actually means returning in person, online, or with a hybrid model differs across the nation. However, regardless of how students are going back to school this year, there is a lot on the line and a lot being asked of educators, parents and students to keep everyone safe while also ensuring that students are learning. AFT’s Share My Lesson is here to support you as you sail into these uncharted waters and reimagine what learning looks like with all new, free, for-credit Back to School webinars, specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges of this school year.

Strong Planning for the Start of the School Year

So many lessons have been learned from ending the school year through distance learning. Multiple approaches and ways educators and administrators can approach a hybrid model of education have been developed, and SML wants to help you explore those different options. Additionally, with many schools implementing a hybrid model of learning this year, it is important that there are clear expectations and communications with students and parents from the start. These webinars will support you in establishing a strong plan to begin the school year:

• Back to School: Redefining the New Norm of Hybrid Education
• Manage Your Message: Creating Clear Expectations for Students and Families
• Planning Ahead with Capstones: Project-based Lessons for a Changing School Environment

Engaging Students In Person & Online

The first image that pops into my head when I hear the term “classroom” is of a brightly decorated room full of desks with students and a teacher. But upon more careful reflection, I realize that a classroom is anywhere that learning takes place. Research shows that when students feel engaged, accepted and supported, they are more ready to learn, and there are ways we can ensure students feel this way regardless of location. So, it is important that no matter how students go back to school, we work to make sure they have a positive “classroom” experience. Check out these webinars to help:

• Engagement Strategies for Reimagined Classrooms
• Creating an Affirmative Space for All
• Ready to Grow: Sesame Street in Communities Resources for School Readiness

Supporting Special Populations

Making sure that all students needs are met regardless of whether students are meeting online or in person is essential. Watch these webinars to better support English language learners during distance learning and to better differentiate instruction to meet all students’ needs:

• Distance Learning & ELLs Part II: What’s Working, What’s Not & What To Be Ready for in the Fall
• Embracing Learner Variability for In-Person and Distance Learning: Helping All Learners Thrive

Supporting Students' Mental Health

Let’s be honest. 2020 has been full of so many unexpected challenges, disappointments and traumatic experiences. My emotions have definitely been on a roller coaster as I attempt to navigate this new world, and it can often be hard to concentrate on moving forward and getting things accomplished. One day, it is full steam ahead for me; and the next day, I feel like there is a rain cloud hanging over me and I am barely moving forward. Based on conversations with my co-workers, friends and family, this seems to be a feeling shared by many. So, just as we adults feel this way, it is important to recognize that students may be riding the same roller coaster of emotions. Some students may be feeling a range of emotions from the effects of social distancing and witnessing violence against people of color in the news, while others may have been personally traumatized from COVID-19 or police brutality. As students go back to school, it is vital that we support those who are suffering from trauma or poor mental health. Check out these three webinars to learn strategies to help students suffering from trauma and how you can collaborate with others to ensure students are best supported:

• Fostering SEL and Self-Care for Our Students in the Coronavirus Era
• 9 Ways Educators Can Support Students Experiencing Trauma
• Collaboration for the Whole Child

Developing Well Informed Citizens

As if 2020 wasn’t already crazy enough, it also happens to be a presidential election year. With so many different outlets to receive news, it can be difficult for students to distinguish between high-quality sources and unreliable ones. Students may also have conflicting beliefs and thoughts on candidates and policies, thus invoking conversations and debates in the classroom. With the re-igniting of anti-racist protests following the death of George Floyd and the various policy stances being debated in regard to COVID-19, this year may be more difficult than others to navigate how to discuss these topics with students and teach them how to find reliable news sources. Read Barbara R. Blackburn’s blog on how to have high-quality discussions in a distance learning classroom and then check out this webinar:

• Teaching News & Media Literacy in an Election Year

Science, Reading & Student Career Planning

Finally, Share My Lesson is also here to provide new ways to teach about science and the history of women in science; the best strategies for teaching reading; and how to support parents and students as they navigate applying to colleges, seeking scholarships and determining a career path.

• Teaching the Film Radioactive: Marie Curie's Life and Legacy
• Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science, 2020: What Expert Teachers of Reading Should Know and Be Able to Do
• A Strategic Approach: Navigating College and Career Planning

If you’re looking for more resources on these topics and to connect with new colleagues on Share My Lesson, be sure to check out SML’s online communities for back to school and distance learning.