#2 - Overcoming Challenges with Virtual Schooling from Home During COVID-19, with Leah Blythe

SUMMARY Leah Blythe is a Twenty-seven-year veteran teacher in the Indian River County School System.  She offers her perspective on helping students and parents’ manage virtual school from home for the first time.  No one expected this and the process has been stressful and productive.  Everyone is working hard, learning new skills, and things about themselves. Ms. Blythe is pleased and surprised by how well things have gone. She has some insights that will be helpful to both parents and students. ------------------------------ HIGHLIGHTS [00:56] Susan introduces Leah Blythe and she talks about her experience with the online resources for teaching during the pandemic. [08:21] Leah talks about how she has kept a personal connection with her students during the pandemic. [15:10] Leah explains some of the adjustments teachers and students have had to make. [20:07] How are the kids who are struggling to pass being helped or graded during the pandemic? [24:27] Leah explains what happens if a student doesn’t pass a class. [28:13] Susan and Leah discuss how the teachers are dealing with the children that are struggling without in person learning and daily interaction with other students. [36:26] Leah shares her final tips on how to get through this pandemic ------------------------------ QUOTES 10:38 “Flexibility is key in a situation like this where everybody's dealing with something different.” 13:52 “We're dealing with the virus right now, but for those little ones to learn, the reading, the writing and the simple math is absolutely essential for the years to come.” 19:58 “Parents have become extremely awakened as to what it takes to educate their own child.” 29:54  “I was so excited to see my students. I mean you hadn't seen these people. And they're wonderful people. You haven't seen them for a month, and they are your motivation for being there every day.” 32:58 “I think that's something kids will walk away from this with is, feeling far more a part of their family and connected with their family through after this and during this.” ------------------------------ RESOURCES Chesnutt Law-Firm Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/about/ Exchange Club of Indian River County: http://exchangeclubofindianriver.org/ Indian River Charter High School: https://www.irchs.org/ Edpuzzle: https://edpuzzle.com/ Audubon House: http://audubonhouse.com/ FAU Harbor Branch: https://www.fau.edu/hboi/