4 minute read
Teaching from a Distance
STUDENT TEACHING FROM A
Student Jessica Fressle, an education major and a member of the women’s basketball team, is tackling the challenges of student teaching online.
When Jessica Fressle isn't on the basketball court, the senior from Levittown, N.Y. student teaches fifth-grade math at Pond Hill Elementary School in Wallingford, Conn. and volunteers with the Hamden Transition Academy, helping students with disabilities.
Now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shift to online learning, Fressle is teaching her students from her home in Levittown. "The transition to distant learning has been a challenge for all classroom teachers, parents, and students," Fressle says. "As a student-teacher, my responsibilities are limited; however, I am continuing to plan and teach all math concepts to my amazing fifth graders. Teaching math through online learning and without real interaction has been a challenge, but I have learned new technology tricks that have helped me reach my students the best way possible."
According to Fressle, one of the challenges faced by teachers in the virtual classroom is the ability to measure each student's level of understanding accurately. Her students, however, have done "an incredible job throughout this difficult transition," despite the the lack of socialization and inperson support, which, Fressle points out, can impact academic performance. "This is a sudden change for everyone, and young students have also been extremely affected," Fressle says. "I have been tutoring my [9- and 10year-old] cousins who have autism, and they have struggled with the adjustment of schedule change and online work. My heart breaks for all the students who are struggling with this transition for so many reasons."
Fressle is hopeful that good will come out of this challenge, and that it will help us to value what we have and what we are able to do.
"As a teacher, it makes us appreciate being in the classroom with our students every day," Fressle says. "There aren't many jobs when you leave at the end of the day and think, 'Wow, that was a great day!' And all you did was your normal routine. Just like other people in their career, this is a challenge we weren't prepared for, and the amount of learning that will come from it can only be beneficial in the future."
In addition to student teaching, "It's amazing to see how a strong As a basketball team captain, Fressle Fressle is the president of theand positive student-to-teacher has drawn on her experience in the Student Council for Exceptional connection can help enhance classroom to cultivate her Children, dedicated to advancing academic learning," Fressle says. "I leadership skills. To her, teaching the success of children withthink it's the key to being a great and basketball are intertwined: exceptionalities, and a member of teacher.""Sometimes students or teammates Southern's Future Teachersneed verbal instruction, and [at] organization.Although Fressle's semester in the other times they just need a leader classroom was cut short, she has to follow by example. So much of Fressle has wanted to be a teacher nevertheless found efficient ways being an athlete prepares us for the since her preschool graduation, to adapt to distance learning and real world. It is something we often where she was asked what she use technology in ways she did not take for granted but being a college wanted to be when she grew up. foresee.athlete is one of the greatest Fressle was subsequently inspired privileges we can have." by her elementary school teachers, However, she still worries that particularly her second-gradeeducation majors might be getting Fressle owes her resilience in teacher, who taught her "you can too stressed out about academics: dealing with difficult situations to do anything you want in life, no "Don't take this time for granted, her training on the basketball court: matter how others label you." In and make sure your kids or"My coaches have embedded the second grade, Fressle was placed students are mentally, emotionally idea that no matter how many times in a special education class due to and safely transitioning during this we get knocked down, we always her difficulty with reading.time. It is just as important to play, get back up. Being on the women's paint, read, and watch movies as it basketball team for the past four She believes the meaningfulis to be a good student. Find the years has taught me that adversity connections she forges with her balance and light in this time of is a challenge made to be overcome. students is one of the most darkness."Right now, we are facing adversity rewarding aspects of teaching.in a way no one could even imagine, but with my team by my side I know I will come out stronger than ever."
