Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 took on a whole new meaning of how we express our sincerest gratitude to our educators. The COVID-19 pandemic forced classroom learning as we once knew it into a completely different form. If not for our dedicated, passionate teachers, who knows how the new normal of virtual learning could have negatively affected our youth and their ability to continue learning effectively.
To better understand educator efforts during the pandemic’s disruption to classroom learning, University of Phoenix partnered with The Harris Poll on a public opinion study regarding K-12 learning. The study concluded that 82% of parents and K-12 learners felt a greater appreciation for teachers than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighty-one percent of study respondents also reported feeling that teachers have performed their professional duties to the best of their abilities during a once unfathomable time.
Although the study’s findings give rightful praise to educators, analyzing participant data continues to offer policy implications for educational administrators. Overall, policy and district administrators can and should do more to improve student outcomes. By providing more significant resources to teachers, educators can continue to meet and exceed their expectations even when faced with extreme circumstances.
Evaluating Virtual Learning in the Post-Pandemic Era
According to the study, 84% of parents affirmed that teachers should have more resources to facilitate virtual learning. Pamela Roggerman, Ed.D, academic dean for the University of Phoenix College of Education, agreed with this finding. She noticed that since COVID-19 became a household concern, “[Families] now recognize that there is so much more that goes into teaching than just a lesson plan and grading homework.” Teachers made lemonade out of lemons in adjusting to the constraints of remote and virtual learning. And while we should commend them for their fortitude, more needs to be done to give both educators and their students the support they require and deserve.
The data supporting improved resource accessibility for teachers highlights how parents and educators alike have had to fill in the gaps for their circumstantial shortcomings. Thirty-seven percent of parents with K-12 virtual learners reported having to upgrade their internet speed and computer devices. The family burden of remote learning also included diminished access to social services. Many parents struggled with food security during the shift to remote learning because they could no longer rely on their children’s school lunch and after-school programs.
How to Address Gaps in Student Progress
Parent perceptions of their children’s academic performance during COVID-19 tend to vary. Sixty percent of parents expressed concern that their children may be falling behind. When asked about the benefits of in-person learning compared to a remote education, 54% of parents said that they worry about the social aspects of going to school. Forty-seven percent were also concerned about establishing a sense of community with other children, with 44% reporting concern around one-on-one interactions with teachers.
In response to these concerns, Dr. Roggerman implored parents to use their child’s teacher as an integral part of their strategy. Some teachers offer tutoring outside of class hours or can refer parents to a colleague who specializes in an area where the student needs improvement or assistance. Whether or not tutoring is necessary, parents should keep lines of communication with educators as open as possible throughout the school year.
Addressing gaps in student progress does not have a one-size-fits-all method. Some children may have more specific emotional or social needs than their classmates. Others simply might not be compatible with virtual learning for reasons outside of anyone’s control. For parents concerned about their child’s social life, consider camps, sports and extracurricular activities as an option to foster community and interactions. Parents and teachers can also work together on volunteering initiatives to build leadership skills and make a difference at a local level.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix uniquely dedicates itself to adult learners looking to return to the classroom and enhance their professional development. The University offers online learning with flexible scheduling and relevant coursework designed for students looking to learn on their chosen terms. Students also can take classes in person at one of many locations throughout the United States.
Prospective students can rest assured that University of Phoenix empowers students to pursue career and professional commitments without detriment to their obligations outside of the classroom. Students do not need to take a standardized test before applying or commit to a rigid semester or quarterly academic schedule.
