Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/author/jjames/)
The high school class of 2020 missed out on many of spring activities including prom, graduation, honors assemblies, senior skip day, after schools transitioned to virtual learning.
The class of 2021 did not lose just half a semester but a year’s worth of activities.
In addition to missing staple senior year activities, virtual learning caused some students to struggle academically.
Last March, all students from kindergarteners to college students were sent home to finish the remainder of the school year virtually. While some schools continued virtual learning for the school year, other schools implemented some in-person learning.
Laingsburg Elementary School offers online and in-person learning. Students that opted for in-person learning meet with their teacher in the morning. Teachers use the afternoon to record videos and prepare online content for their virtual students.
In January, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she wished to see Michigan K-12 schools return to in-person instruction by March 1. Several of the state’s best K-12 front-line instructors, designated as top teachers in various award competitions, say how they think that can happen safely. Some have already been teaching in person. Others are waiting to return. Janine Scott
Janine Scott, Davis Aerospace Technical High School, Detroit, Michigan, Region 10 Michigan Teacher of the Year 2020-2021, 11th grade math teacher
“So, I am teaching virtually now, no in-class, and the governor said that she would like for all schools to have something open for kids.
Michigan Schools Superintendent Michael Rice has floated the idea that, to help students catch up on instruction lost during the COVOD-19 pandemic, the 2021-2022 school year be extended.
Here, award-winning teachers from throughout Michigan react to or propose ideas for that suggestion.