SHELBY — Mandie Glessner never considered virtual teaching.
But the Pioneer Career and Technology Center math instructor, like teachers throughout Richland County, have had to make many adjustments since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered in-person classroom education halted a few weeks ago due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“It’s been quite difficult for us these days,” said Glessner, who is in her first year at Pioneer after teaching previously at Madison. “No one got into teaching to teach online, but we’re making the best of it.”
Some teachers, like Madison South Elementary School second-grade teacher Ashley Galbraith, make videos and map lesson plans for distribution across many applications for students.
“I’ve been connecting with my students at least once a day,” she said.
Galbraith noted she uses three applications since some of her students don’t have internet access.
“In my class, it’s more communicating with parents,” Galbraith said. “But everyone in my building has been doing a really good job of trying to stay connected with students.
“We make videos every day. My assistant principal, Kyle Gordon, dressed up as Batman and read to students in one video.”
In another video, 2016 Olympic Gold medal wrestler Kyle Snyder, who also won national titles for The Ohio State University, read to students.
Still, the physical distance has changed one of the most enjoyable parts of teaching for Galbraith.
“The social and emotional part of education is one of the biggest things for me. It’s hard (to do that now),” Galbraith said. “It’s one of my favorite parts of my job, and it’s why we’ve been making these videos. I’ve tried setting up chats with my students, but they’re in second grade, so it’s hard for them.”
Tim Tarvin, superintendent of Shelby City Schools, said creativity and flexibility are needed to get through this period of virtual learning.
“We have some teachers coming into our building, though it’s not mandated, to use the smart board and make lesson videos,” Tarvin said. “Shelby, for the last few years, has tried to get technology for students.”
Shelby formed a group of teachers called STARS (Shelby Technology Advanced Resources Suite), which has one tech-savvy educator in each school building.
“We saw the writing on the wall,” Tarvin said of distance learning caused by the pandemic. “We got the STARS teachers to teach educators over about two-and-half weeks before our buildings closed.
“We also have students who don’t have internet, so we have work printed out for them to pick up.”
Glessner said of the 1,100 students at Pioneer, about 30 students are without internet at home.
Pioneer Superintendent Greg Nickoli has allowed pupils a period of time to complete homework given from the first day at home until April 17.
“We know this is frustrating for everyone because we are all equally frustrated,” Glessner said. “I’ve been speaking with a lot of friends at several districts. They’ve said they think teaching online is more work than teaching in the classroom, because it takes more steps to put it online.”
Tarvin said the need for teachers to stay connected with families and students is at an all-time high.
“We must continue to check on parents and students. We have to work with them and place meaningful instruction over busy work,” he said. “I think for the most part, Shelby teachers are doing that.
“While it is challenging, our teachers have bought in tremendously.”
Still, the idea of potentially never seeing these students in her classroom again this year looms heavy on Galbraith.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “We have a group of teachers on Facebook and everyone one is upset because you expect to have the whole school year and you have these fun plans and experiences you just don’t get to do any more.
“Now they may come back, but as (a new grade).”
