Discovering new ways to teach and learn amid school closures

Sacred Heart School in Sedalia sets fast pace for distance learning

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With the temporary closure of all schools in Pettis County because of the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers and students alike have been discovering new and different methods of teaching and learning.

Many schools have turned to computer technology to connect with students.

It’s a way to provide curriculum resources while helping maintain a schedule for students to focus on during this time when few things have a sense of normalcy.

Sacred Heart School (SHS)in Sedalia created a plan to use technology for alternative lessons.

Less than 48 hours after in-school instruction ceased, the teachers were providing their lessons online, remotely, and students were learning from home.

“Our staff has been incredibly adaptable,” said Sacred Heart Dean of Students Sam Jones. “Jane McMullin (the high school history instructor) began classes via Zoom conferencing the very next day after suspending on-ground instruction.”

All of Sacred Heart’s staff members in grades 6 through 12 began conducting classes via Zoom on March 23.

Sacred Heart School, which offers pre-kindergarten through high school, is part of St. Vincent de Paul parish of Pettis County.

Former educator Father Joseph Corel, who is one of two pastors in solidum of the parish, emphasized that learning and teaching “will be different, but it will still be happening.”

Mr. Jones said the school was “fortunate to have last Tuesday (March 17) to practice with our students logging in.”

“Administration asked all of our teachers to schedule a minimum of three Zoom classes each week,” he stated. “I’ve noticed that many of our teachers are already planning for Zoom instruction every day, which is in excess of our original requirements.”

Mr. Jones noted that Sacred Heart already had multiple teachers already using Google Classroom at the junior high and senior high levels. This allowed those teachers to continue delivering assignments without any changes whatsoever. 

Administrators quickly set about training all of Sacred Heart’s elementary teachers in Zoom conferencing the day in-class instruction ceased.

Before long, educators were also keeping live, online “office hours.”

“These office hours will allow parents to log in and ask questions regarding instruction,” said Mr. Jones. “Many of our elementary teachers have already begun recording lectures and sending them out to parents as well.”

Marlo Siron, Sacred Heart’s director of technology, already had a system in place for checking out iPads and ChromeBooks wireless learning devices.

This ensured that every student in grades 6 through 12 would have full access to all of the school’s instructional materials, said Mr. Jones.

SHS Development Director Liz Van Leer credited both Mr. Jones and Ms. Siron for taking the lead on developing a workable plan for the students and teachers.

They “were nimble in developing a plan for alternative lessons,” Mrs. Van Leer said. “The template they created is being shared with other school administrators in the area. As Mr. Jones said, ‘We’re all in this together.’

“While we’re all in the ever-moving target, SHS is focused on delivering new classroom instruction, not just review,” she added. “Mr. Jones said they took this approach because SHS is equipped with the technology. The strong parent partnership and classroom size are also keys to success.”

Mrs. Van Leer praised Ms. Siron’s vision and tenacity in obtaining fast and reliable wireless internet access for the school and the necessary equipment for students to continue their learning at home.

“We’re able to do what we’re doing now because she had the vision and helped bring it to fruition,” said Mrs. Van Leer.

“I’ve never been more proud of our school and our parents,” she added.

While no one knows what the duration of the school closing will be, Mr. Jones is optimistic about the new teaching and learning methods.

“I’m just in awe of how quickly our teachers have adapted to a completely new way of delivering instruction,” he said. “I’m feeling incredibly optimistic that we can deliver a very effective product and continue on with instruction of new materials immediately.”

In the meantime, Fr. Corel urged parents during this new and hopefully short period of distance learning to be “be patient with yourself, your children and your teachers.”

“Remember to find a routine that works for you and your family,” he advised. “Parents, don’t be afraid to set some clear expectations and boundaries of a routine. Take the lead and make it happen.”

Hope Lecchi is the education reporter for the Sedalia Democrat (www.sedaliademocrat.com), which published a version of his article March 20. It is republished here with permisison.

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