New Teacher Meets Students for the First Time Through Zoom
On top of being a new teacher at a new school, Julie Hannan had to meet her students through a screen.
Last year, Hannan taught chemistry at Helix High School, and, along with all other teachers and students nation-wide, had to adjust to changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then, Hannan was hired as a science teacher for Del Norte High School only a few days before Thanksgiving and started teaching right after Thanksgiving break.
Switching to a new school amidst virtual learning brought challenges in communicating with her students, especially with participation.
“Since the little organic moments of chatting with students in the hall or before class and having lunch with other teachers aren’t there, we must create those moments for ourselves” Hannan comments.
On some days Hannan is greeted by silence from a sea of black screens but she adds that communicating on Zoom meetings–especially the chat–can help the quieter students ask questions and participate.
Distance learning has also severely limited teachers’ ability to read students’ faces and look over their shoulders. Hannan stresses how helpful it is when students let her know how they are feeling, both about the material she is teaching and how they are feeling on that day.
“I love that it is totally acceptable for students to say to me, ‘I could not focus on anything you said yesterday because I was so sick of Zoom so I need help,’” Hannan states.
Despite the physical barriers, Hannan says the challenges of distance learning have made teachers and students at Del Norte become stronger and more understanding. She also tries to make her virtual classroom a safe and fun environment.
Hannan has already had memorable interactions with her class. She recalls how a few students had an impromptu discussion about the ethics of using nuclear chemistry during the entire tutorial period.
“I think my science-nerd self smiled about it for a week,” Hannan recalls.
Hanna hopes to make more memories with the students and teachers at Del Norte. The best way to help each other out is to “continue to bring their best each day, whatever that is,” Hannan says.