RE Log Spring 2021

14 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2020 I’ve been teaching from home since March 2020, and that continued last fall. My approach from the beginning was to make sure I had the rapport I would have if I were on campus. This year, I decided I would order stationery and send a personal letter in the mail to each of my students once a month. I address the letters to Miss or Mr. and their family. It’s something to let them know that I’m thinking about them, that I am trying to extend through the virtual world. I think it’s more important now than ever that they feel like they’re part of class. Back in 1998, I helped co-host three episodes of The Homework Show , a short-lived show on public television in Chicago, teaching reading skills. I took my cues from a fellow teacher on the show; he was just so genuine and smooth. He was able to relate through the camera. That experience has helped me throughout the pandemic, especially in the beginning. I put on a dress, pearls and a smile, and that was how I approached every day. The situation has been grave. I did not want the children to be afraid. I wanted them to know that in this class they were going to be safe, they were going to be okay, and they were going to continue to learn. And we did. As the Middle School Dean of Studies, I also had concerns about children across the middle school campus. Our incoming sixth graders came from roughly 45 different schools. We did not know what they did or didn’t receive in the spring of 2020, when many schools were struggling to provide a remote education. Our middle school leadership team wanted to make sure that all of our students were placed in the right classes, and ready and able once they arrived on campus. I have definitely seen an uptick in the number of “scholarly sessions” – special help sessions – I hold with students. Last year I didn’t see any sixth graders; this year because of the pandemic, I’ve held a number of them. Many of the students are able to cycle off after several sessions. My goal is to get them to understand: This how we schedule our time; this is how we use our time; and this is how we execute our work. Once we see the students’ academic performance improve, they are able to move on. If they still need more help, we work with them until they feel comfortable. I’m pleased to have made this work virtually, but I can’t wait to get back. It’s so important to be in person. I love to come to school; I am a self-proclaimed school nerd. I didn’t miss a day of school from third grade to 12th grade. I have had to take this as an opportunity to shine in a different way, and I encourage my students and colleagues to do the same. I’m home for a reason; and I’m fortunate to work at a place that honored that, and still allowed me the opportunity to educate children, which is what I love to do.” Doreen Johnson Middle School Dean of Studies and History & Social Sciences Faculty At home 1