24 • Thursday, February 11, 2021
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SCHOOLS
Hoover, Homewood Teachers of the Year Share Their View of Education During a Pandemic
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
T
he 2020-21 school year has been colored completely by the pandemic, with educators working on the frontline and adapting their methods to continue to educate children. In the Over the Mountain area alone, teachers, school staff and administrators sprang into action, adapting to virtual learning and navigating safe ways to reintroduce children into classrooms. Many have extended that service beyond school walls through community service efforts, organizing ways for children to receive school meals during lockdowns, hosting drives to collect items for local food banks and taking other actions. Each year, school systems throughout the community and across the nation recognize Teachers of the Year. Candidates are nominated by their fellow teachers. We will be sharing words and thoughts from Over the Mountain Teachers of the Year this month to shine a light on not just those recognized but all educators, beginning with Homewood and Hoover city schools.
fortunate to be part of a school and a school system that respects and honors the whole student while striving toward equity and helping each student reach and realize their full potential.
Photos courtesy Homewood City Schools
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Alli Phelps, Shades Cahaba Elementary School
Describe your teaching philosophy.
My general teaching philosophy is that I try to educate and love my students like my own children/family while trying to create lifelong global learners, readers and writers. What have been some of the most notable hurdles this school year?
A notable hurdle this year for my students and their families concerns equity issues related to technology. For many of the families I serve, our school issued Chromebooks, and internet hotspots were the first devices/technology in their homes. I am extremely fortunate to work and live in a school system that is committed to making technology accessible and equitable for all students. For our faculty and staff, I think taking care of our mental health and taking great care of ourselves and each other has become critically important. As a profession, we are stressed and challenged in ways that we never could have imagined.
Are there any lessons you have learned this year that you will carry with you into a post-pandemic school year?
At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a phrase often heard throughout Homewood: “We are in this together.” When I heard this phrase, it would instantly make me think of my classroom bulletin board that says “We are Family!” Over the years, my students have brought in their own pictures and added to the bulletin board, which is now filled with beautiful family photos. My friends and family mean everything to me, and our school family is incredibly important to me as well. The major lessons I have learned keep me grounded in what truly matters – the relationships we have and we hold dear – and (remind me) to let go of the small stuff that bogs me down and holds me back. During this time, I have witnessed tremendous loss, but I have also experienced extraordinary love and growth. I feel
Describe your teaching philosophy.
What have been some of the most notable hurdles this school year?
Prior to the pandemic, I made a commitment to do home visits during the school year with all of my students and their families. This has been one of the best decisions that I have made, not only in my professional life but personally, as well. These experiences strengthened our home/school connection and when COVID-19 related adversities inevitably occurred, our school and community was right there to help and assist and persevere. Throughout this ‘20-‘21 school year, my EL students and their families and our faculty and staff consistently demonstrate a level of grit and perseverance that motivates and inspires me to bring and be my best every day.
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Katherine Thompson, Riverchase Elementary School
My teaching philosophy can be described as a “family community” where every student contributes in their own way, regardless of ability. I use multiple methods of instruction to reach all students, so they feel connected to our “family.”
Homewood City Schools Have you experienced any big victories in 2020-2021 despite the pandemic?
Hoover City Schools
Secondary Teacher of the Year: Melissa Dameron-Vines, Homewood High School Describe your teaching philosophy.
I want the students to have ownership of their learning and a voice in what we do within each class. I want them to be their authentic selves and to feel that their learning is a continuous conversation between us instead of a series of tasks that I expect them to complete. I want them to understand that their progress is personal and important to their lives. What have been some of the most notable hurdles this school year?
The most notable hurdles this year have been scheduling and learning new technology to facilitate learning and to keep classes functioning in as normal a way as possible.
I think the obvious hurdles for this school year would be flexibility. Teachers, students, faculty, staff and even parents have had to learn to be flexible. School staff have been learning how to “do school virtually” since last spring; however, so many things have changed (schedules, classroom setup, testing, virtual vs face-to-face, etc.) and we have had to be flexible from the beginning. When I think about the definition of the word flexibility, I think about: bending without breaking, the ability to be easily modified and the willingness to change. This has never been more true in education. Also, I feel like we all need to give grace. Grace given to students, parents, teachers and staff has never been more needed than this school year. We are all doing the best we can and trying to survive, so let’s give grace when possible. Have you experienced any big victories in 2020-21 despite the pandemic?
I have relished the challenge of transforming my curriculum into this new format because it has shown me that I am not bound by old ways or habits. So far, I have taught everything in my classes that I would have taught during a regular year, and I am so proud of that. We are also producing a yearbook even in the midst of the uncertainty. It is exciting to see us all persevere.
I strongly feel that my ability to be an effective teacher has been challenged by the pandemic, but I do not feel it has made me a less effective teacher. I have been pushed to develop new delivery methods, learn about new technology and programs, and create a productive learning environment with face-to-face and virtual students. I would say that I have had many victories and breakthroughs with my students, whether we have been learning at school or home. This is always exciting because what some may think is a small breakthrough are huge milestones for my students and their families.
Are there any lessons you have learned this year that you will carry with you into a post-pandemic school year?
Are there any lessons you have learned this year that you will carry with you into a post-pandemic school year?
Have you experienced any big victories in 2020-21 despite the pandemic?
I have learned that I can reach and teach students in person and through a screen, which invigorates me. I will start next year knowing I can handle anything that comes my way.
I feel that the one thing I will carry forward with me is to make each encounter with my students very intentional. Time is valuable with my students because they thrive off of
consistency, so our time together is sacred. By making intentional actions with my students throughout the day, it has helped them succeed in ways I have never experienced before. Secondary Teacher of the Year: Pamela McClendon, Riverchase Career Connection Center
Describe your teaching philosophy.
I believe my role as an educator is to provide every student the opportunity to see their value as a contributing member in my classroom and beyond. Every student is unique, therefore I try to engage students in relevant and meaningful lessons that allow them to develop their own potential and learning style. I also strive to exemplify the “lead learner” model, in which students learn to embrace the idea that acquiring knowledge should be a never-ending journey, one that allows us to continue to grow and thrive throughout our lives. What have been some of the most notable hurdles this school year?
By far the greatest hurdle this school year has been the hybrid school model that has been in place when warranted. Many students find this mode of learning challenging as they are still in the process of developing good time-management skills as a young adult. On the hybrid schedules, students are in class two days out of the week with three virtual days in which they must manage completing course work for up to six classes per day. That would be a feat for most adults, so as an educator I commend them for their efforts. Faculty and staff have the unique challenge of not only preparing inclass assignments but virtual as well. Some educators are also displaying a self-sacrificing spirit by, in addition, teaching students that are completely virtual, a monumental task, needless to say. Also, faculty and staff are having to reimagine what “engaged learners” look like. In many cases, we cannot see them when they are completing assignments. The question then becomes, how do we motivate students beyond our classroom? As an educator, I can attest that administrators and teachers all across Hoover city have willingly stepped out of their comfort zones to find every student with the determined intent to meet them where they are and nudge them forward step by step. See TEACHERS, page 25
