Decorah School District teachers share their insights into the trials and triumphs of distance learning

Every day this week, we will hear from two Decorah educators about the successes and struggles of the District's continuous learning endeavor -- voluntary educational enrichment opportunities for students in early childhood through grade 8, and required educational services for students in grades 9 through 12. Today, a 4th grade teacher at Carrie Lee Elementary and an 8th grade teacher at Decorah Middle School share their responses to the following questions:

• What it has been like to shift to a whole new teaching model and how are you adjusting to the change?
• How are you staying connected to your students and networking with your colleagues?
• What has been the most difficult/positive part of this process for you as an educator?
  
  

Ryan Hogan - Decorah Middle School, 8th Grade Language Arts/Reading
"The change has definitely been interesting! The biggest change has been not being able to see the students on a daily basis. I miss hearing about their weekends, their activities, and their anticipation for the upcoming summer. 

I am staying connected mainly through email with the students and programs like Zoom and Face Time with my colleagues. In Decorah we truly have wonderful students, and I am fortunate  to work with wonderful people who are very committed to what they do. While online lessons are a change for everyone, I know we will all grow through the process."

Ann Fjelstul - Carrie Lee Elementary, 4th Grade
"It is has become a different mindset. The lessons are planned as a team for all 4th grade students, and are presented as learning opportunities rather than required work that everyone is expected to complete. We stay connected with our studetns through email and Zoom meetings either daily or several times per week. As teachers, we discuss and plan as a team what standards we need to present, and evaluate how the students are responding. I have enjoyed working through planning, discussing challenges, encouraging each other, sharing positive feedback from our students. It's been good.

The most difficult part is not seeing my students everyday. I miss the 'Good mornings!' and smiles as my students walk in the door, and the high fives and hugs at the end of the day. I miss seeing the look on their faces when they understand something new and are excited about the activity being presented.

I think it is amazing how everyone - administration, teachers, staff, students and parents have embraced the challenge and have made distance learning possible. Our tech staff is an amazing group of people who make the magic happen! We couldn't do it without them. We are providing wonderful opportunities for students to continue learning. I am so excited when I hear back each day from my class members.  It makes my day.  I hope I provide that for my students as well."