With Oliver Ames High School slated to come back fully on April 26th, emotions and anxieties are running high. As we saw in Students Thoughts On Returning To School Full-Time, OA kids are mixed in terms of reactions, with some taking a more optimistic approach about seeing their friends and enjoying their classes, and others wary about the sudden shift to full day learning again. Let’s also not forget there is still a pandemic going on.
While students have mixed feelings, teachers are unanimously optimistic about returning to the fully in person model, especially with the prospect of having students back. Mr. Schervish, an English teacher, when asked if he was excited about students coming back, replied with much enthusiasm “Yes, very excited!” Latin teacher Mrs. Gove reminds us “there are some kids that I haven’t seen their faces all year.” All the teachers I spoke to expressed significant happiness at getting their students back in person.
Students being back to see their friends will be an important part of the reopening process. “You get acquaintances back once you get in here.” Mr. Flaherty reminds us. Mrs. Starr seconds this, reminding us all “it’s good to have that human connection.”
Another interesting part of the reopening process is the technology. With students not having to be remotely connected at all times, it seems as if teachers are moving away from chromebooks and back to good old fashioned paper. Mr. Flaherty, a history teacher, highlights this move, saying “I’ll try to do some handouts, some where students aren’t on their computers.”
Teachers are beginning to prepare more hands on activities for their students, rather than staring at a screen all day. Mr. Schervish for his classes says “we’ll be working on paper. we’ll have more physical books, actual markers and stuff.”
Safety has also been a major concern from students and parents alike. Teachers will be addressing this concern in many different ways. When asked whether teachers will be doing anything differently when students are fully back, English teacher Mrs. Starr said without hesitation that she will be “keeping things clean and bubbling up the desks.”
Keep in mind that the desks at OA will be moved from 6 feet distancing to 3 feet, meaning teachers are being extra vigilant. This is on the top of English teacher Mrs. Schleicher’s mind, as she stated “the only thing I think that I’ll do differently is be a little more vigilant about their spacing.”
When asked about their confidence towards a full classroom, Mrs. Gove had a mixed response, saying “Now that I’m fully vaccinated I’m feeling more confident about being able to walk up and down rows, but at the same time, I worry we’re going to have a lot of people quarantining because we’re moving from 6 feet to 3 feet. I’m nervous and anxious about it, but i’m feeling optimistic.” The vaccine has been a crucial step in boosting teacher confidence. “I’m vaccinated so I’m not worried about my own health.” Mr. Flaherty states.
Teachers certainly have a ton of work cut out for them. While it is a challenge, they are confident, prepared, and ready for it. Ms. Gove is ready, saying that like many others, she is “intimidated, but mostly i’m looking forward to it.”