Lifestyle

Virtual learning expands opportunities to host guest speakers in the classroom

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

Educators have always been expected to adapt to novel situations, but 2020 has demanded levels of resilience I find downright absurd.

In a rush to recreate the comforts of in-person instruction, some teachers across the country regressed to outdated methodology like lecturing. Others used the disruption of COVID-19 as a way to help students document their thought processes and take part in developing a student-centered virtual curriculum. The latter was no easy feat.

In situations of instability and vulnerability, I look to my most innovative colleagues for guidance. Last week, Burncoat Middle School teachers Andrea Cook and Amy Chacharone welcomed me into their summer school classroom. The Zoom lesson I witnessed not only eased my anxiety about the coming year, it stirred excitement for the possibilities ahead.

“It has been surprisingly easy to build rapport,” said Cook, adding, “We’ve never actually met some of these kids in real life.”

Students begin class with a physical activity like an academic scavenger hunt before greeting a special guest from the community. Chacharone expressed surprise at how simple it has been to arrange for Zoom visitors who can impart formative stories and advice from the comforts of their own homes or offices. The students meet four days a week as part of a program funded by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, awarded to BMS, where Mary Scully is the principal.

Last week’s guest was City Councilor Sean Rose, for whom students had prepared a wide range of insightful questions. Rose praised them, saying he felt, “inspired by youth who pay attention.”

The virtual forum provided a

Burncoat Middle School students and staff members prepare for guest speaker City Councilor Sean Rose to join them on Zoom.

surprising layer of comfort for both youth and adults, some of whom sat alone in their bedrooms while others were joined by siblings, parents and pets at their kitchen tables. Rose told students that because he had grown up without great financial means, it was important for him to offer a vision of what a “poor kid” can become. “You can’t assume anything about anyone,” he told the group of 12- and 13-year-olds who nodded along encouragingly.

He painted a dramatic picture of his first run for office when data analysts told him that he would lose by 100 votes.”My district had never elected a person of color before,” he told the class, “On election night I kept to myself while my supporters were gathered in the next room. I was so worried about having to give a concession speech that I couldn’t bring myself to join the party. Then, I looked out the window and saw my opponent walking across the parking lot to come congratulate me.” It was at that moment he knew he had won. “Don’t ever put a cap on what you think your greatest accomplishment will be,” he concluded.

When asked to leave the class with some parting wisdom, Rose said, “The best advice I ever got is that education is like real estate — it increases in value and no one can take it away from you.”

I exited the meeting feeling refreshed and hopeful for the creative

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

and collaborative opportunities in our future. Education will persist, but we can’t be stubborn in thinking it will look like it used to. Would you want your doctor to use the “best practices” of a decade ago? I wouldn’t. As far as I’m concerned, the same goes for teaching. I can’t wait to see what this school year holds as educators like Cook and Chacharone lead the way.