Encouragement and Reminders to All Teachers Especially Those with Special Ed Students

/in

As we make efforts to lead in our congregations during a time of the unknown, we can start from a firm foundation of the known. We know the Lord through scriptures. We know his love through what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and in his rising. We know he is all powerful, all knowing, and always present. We have certainty in uncertain times. Let this be the foundation we start from and the foundation that is at the heart of every interaction of our instruction through distance learning.

From this place we can give ourselves grace and patience. Every educator, from our first year teachers to our most experienced administrators, is being challenged at this time. The Lord has given us strength to meet each day with resilience and grace. Remember to take care of the body and mind that he has given you by pausing, breathing, naming our feelings and emotions as they arise (it’s okay to feel ups and downs, let them out by speaking the emotion), exercise, take breaks, and forgive yourselves and each other. Check in on each other. Remember the Lord created us to need human connection from the day we were born across our lifespan. Connection is healing at a time when we all need healing. We are in this together and together is how we will come through this.

Our students and their families will need us to share our peace, patience, and grace too. They feel the uncertainty of the space in their homes – they are more aware than we know. Often their human nature and brain’s reaction leads them to act out because they are hurting and confused inside. Help all adults take a deep breath before reacting, offering love instead. They are looking to see you because you are a vital part of their lives. As often as possible, have real back and forth interactions with them. We need it as much as they do.

Recommendations to Educators:
What is Distance Learning and what should it look like?
Distance Learning is learning for all students through access to appropriate educational materials and daily interaction with their teacher(s).

All Teachers

  • Create opportunities for students to connect to the Lord through time in the Word with you, their teachers, and the congregations (connect students to congregational opportunities through their classroom platform).
  • All teachers are still teaching to the best of their abilities.
  • Local school districts are doing distance learning. Follow suit and use them as a resource.
  • Document in your lesson plan book what you are offering for distance learning. Keep your own documentation and upload to the internal documentation link.
  • Ensure continued differentiated instruction for students who need it, especially as it pertains to distance learning.
  • Be mindful of the needs and circumstances of varying families: employment, mental health, socioeconomic, internet connectivity and technological hardware issues.

Special Education Students or Students with Accommodations

  • If a student is on a documented learning plan such as an IEP, ISP, 504 or Accommodation Plan, collaborate with the case manager or special education teacher responsible for that plan. Each district is leading their special educators to fulfill the documented plans with specific district policies. In most cases services will continue to be carried out to the extent possible through an addition to the IEP document called an Individual Distance Learning Plan (IDLP).
  • If a student is not being serviced through the local public school district, then plan to continue supports from their ISP or Accommodation Plan to the extent possible through distance learning.
  • It is not possible to replicate your classroom instruction or supports. Carry out the goals and objectives to the extent possible. Use the accommodations as they apply to distance learning, keep in mind confidentiality. Remember, any way our distance learning design communicates their disability to anyone other than the parent and the student it is a violation of FERPA. FERPA is a Federal law that protects a parent’s privacy interest in his or her child’s “education records.” [T]hose records, files, documents, and other materials, which (i) contain information directly related to a student; and (ii) are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a person acting for such agency or institution. 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(4). “FERPA would generally prohibit a teacher from disclosing information from a child’s education records to other students in the classroom, as well as prohibit a teacher from disclosing information from a child’s education records to the parents of another child who might be observing the classroom,” as stated by LeRoy S. Rooker, Director, Family Policy Compliance Office. Consider a parent confidentiality consent agreement for e-learning and distance learning.

Words of Encouragement for Teachers Connecting with Parents During COVID-19

/in

As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters relating to the impact of COVID-19 on all of us, it’s been amazing to see the lengths that teachers are going to support their students and to continue their learning. Moving to a distance learning/online learning format is new to so many. What a blessing technology is during this very difficult time. The opportunity to share information and learning with students is such a blessing. Not only can our students continue to learn, but they can have a piece of something familiar each day. As you continue to delve into this new way of doing school, here are a few things to keep in mind, especially when thinking of our student’s parents.

We’ve encouraged you to stay connected to your students. They are missing you and you are missing them. That connection through whatever means, gives them a lift and encouragement. But, don’t forget about the parents. As you know, our parents are under a great deal of stress right now. The ever-changing impact of COVID-19 can create a sense of insecurity and fear. Many of our families are working still, but many are not or will soon be without work. They are concerned about the impact on their families financially, emotionally, and certainly physically. On top of it all, they are now taking on the role of teacher for their child. For some, this is a wonderful way to give them structure for their days at home with their children. For others, this can be very overwhelming. Here are a couple of things to consider:

  • As you look to stay connected with your students, do the same with the parents. What questions might they have? What tips might you have that may be obvious to you but unknown to the parents? Encourage them to contact you with any questions they have. But also, be proactive in reaching out to them as well. Most parents have no background in teaching. They want to do what’s best for their child, but many are feeling unequipped to do so. How can you support and reassure them?
  • Keep your expectations realistic. We’d all like to think our students will be in the same place at the end of this year that they would have been if school had continued. But is that possible and is that wise? We want to encourage some structure each day and have goals. But we want to avoid expectations that contribute to the stress for the students and for their families. What is best for them in the long term? We always want to inspire children to love learning, even during all of this. Continue to ask how you can help meet an appropriate balance.
  • Great teachers meet students where they are. This fall, when school starts again, you’ll do what you do every fall—get to know your students and find ways to meet them where they are.
  • The resources that have become available in the last week alone are staggering! If a parent is looking at all of these, it can be overwhelming to make choices for their children. Social media can give the unintended pressure to be the super parent with all kinds of creative activities. Perhaps you can help them sort through and narrow down a few good resources to suggest.
  • Encourage parents in the benefits of things like cooking together, board games, daily walks together or other ways to keep moving, reading together, etc. There is great learning in all of these activities and many families have more time to do them. Your voice of encouragement can help them see the benefits of these.
  • For many, daily devotions are something new. But having that time each day to be reassured of God’s faithful promises is the greatest stress reliever. Give your families very simple ways to do so. Maybe share any daily classroom prayers that the children already know. Share one or two online devotions for children that you’re seeing and that you know to be sound.
  • Encourage parents to reach out to each other, especially if you know of a parent who may need encouragement from another parent. You can be the bridge.

At some point, we will look back at this time and reflect on all that happened. That day will come. In the meantime, we continue to be flexible and caring for each other. We look for ways to share Christ and his love with our students and their families. And we pray with confidence to our faithful God who keeps his promise to be with us in all things.

Cindi L. Holman
Coordinator, Early Childhood Ministries
WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools