Two years ago, many of us could not have imagined that a pandemic would strike and instantly change so many aspects of our lives without warning. As educators and students, this crisis transformed how we taught and learned. The educational experience has been vastly different over the last 15 months. While this journey has been riddled with challenges, there have also been opportunities for self-discovery, growth, and reflection. The words of the RPS community tell this story.
“I appreciate everything I have so much more, including the little time I have in the classroom with my friends and teachers. Personal interactions have come at a premium, and the presence of people brightens my mood.” – Jake, Grade 11 Student, Ridgewood High School
“These past 12+ months have taught me to be a quick and thorough problem solver, to do what needs doing, but do it differently within the constraints of the situation. I’ve learned a lot about myself and those I work with.” – Drew Kreismer, Teacher, Orchard Elementary School
“From educational technology application and assessment techniques through content coverage concerns and student engagement strategies, teachers have been tested daily to reconsider instructional priorities in the wake of our unpredictable and evolving circumstances. All stakeholders, whether students, teachers, support staff, or parents, have persevered. Here’s hoping our teaching and learning model will forever benefit from the new perspectives considered and changes made during the 2020-21 school year!” – Mark Ferreri, Supervisor of Social Studies, World Languages, and Business
“It made me more brave. I was scared before we started the year that hybrid would be really hard to do, but now we’re here all in person. I was worried it would be so closed off, and I wouldn’t meet anybody but then I met some really good friends.” – Salma, Grade 4 Student, Willard Elementary School
“This school year has been different for me because even though I only knew about five people, this was a school year where my classmates and teachers felt like family.” – Amelia, Grade 4 Student, Somerville Elementary School
“This year was a challenge that taught me a lot about myself personally and professionally. I learned that when I’m faced with difficulties, I can overcome them using strategies that I also teach to my students.” – Kaitlyn Funtsch, Teacher, George Washington Middle School
“Early this year, I was quite scared of how this was going to turn out with me having to do virtual and then go to school, but now I feel like it is all normal and that this is how we had always done school.” – Dawson, Grade 4 Student, Travell Elementary School
“While I knew of the dedication and professionalism of the teaching staff, what I saw was a collection of educators who saw the need and found ways to effectively teach and make positive relationships with students, both in person and virtually. In a challenging time, I saw professionals rising up and finding ways to succeed and even raise the bar. It was wonderful to see and be part of.” – Dr. Paul Semendinger, Principal, Hawes Elementary School
“I had to reimagine student connection and interactions in order to make time with them more meaningful.” – Julie Gordon, Teacher, Ridgewood High School
“As much as we’ve transitioned to more technology, ironically the thing that has been most transformative during the pandemic has been the human connection with my students. As a teacher of fully remote students until April, sitting in front of a screen in an empty classroom, I knew that the loneliness that I was feeling could not compare to my students’ experiences. One might think that communicating through a screen would have limited the ability to form strong connections, but ironically it was the social bonding that helped my students turn on their chromebooks each morning. We laughed together often, met each other’s pets, and even had occasional visits from younger siblings. I knew that social connections were important, but this year made that so clear to me.” – Julie Berry, Teacher, Hawes Elementary School
“Learning during a pandemic has been quite the experience. Although it prevented students from doing certain things, I really enjoyed my first year of middle school. I improved in many subjects, built strong connections with my teachers, and made a number of new friends. To me, this year was challenging, yet it was rewarding to see how we thrive on change.” – Nandita, Grade 6 Student, George Washington Middle School
“After teaching fifth grade remotely last spring and this entire school year, I know that human connection is paramount for social emotional health (for the teacher and the students!) and for effective learning. Building connections wasn’t an easy task over a Google meet, but I made class discussions, student sharing, and small group work in breakout rooms a priority. I have never felt closer to a class of students and seen so much student camaraderie, engagement and creativity. When I am back teaching on site, I plan to continue focusing on building connections.” – Dawn Fleming, Teacher, Travell Elementary School
“During this past year, I think COVID-19 gave me more patience and determination (especially with the tech issues). Also, it helped me be more responsible.” – Natalie, Grade 5 Student, Hawes Elementary School
“I think I would compare this year to attempting to surf the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. It has been terrifying, unpredictable, contained moments of euphoria, and taught some valuable lessons about resiliency, stamina, and going with the flow. It’s something I would never have chosen to do willingly. What a wild ride…but together, we made it through!” – Dr. Katie Kashmanian, Principal, George Washington Middle School
“This was definitely a year that challenged teachers and students. However, since we were all going through it together, we bonded so much. Our close classroom community helped to make each day fun, enjoyable, and happy. While it could have been a not-so-great year, it has been a truly special year full of learning and laughing. I am so proud of my students and the way they approached each learning opportunity with smiles and positivity.” – Kelsey Parrasch, Teacher, Willard Elementary School
“This year has been an amazing year for me. I know what you’re thinking, even I am surprised to hear myself say that. At first, I was worried…worried about the reliance on technology, concerned that a virtual classroom seemed so different from the way that I have taught in the classroom for the past 22 years, but as it turns out, this was probably one of my best years ever. This year brought back similar feelings I had from another very special teaching year, that was the year of September 11th. Even though this COVID experience is different from that, the strong bond formed within our class feels the same. In fact, we have become more than a classroom community – we are family and a blended family from three different schools. Within our class, everybody has been there for each other – with support, understanding, and kindness. This has been a once in a lifetime experience and as this year comes to a close, I feel grateful & blessed, and will cherish our time together.” Mrs. King, Teacher, Somerville Elementary School
“You are here to do incredible things. Brave things. Bold things. Things that only you can do! You already are your own answer to every question, your own path to the future, your own light along the way.” – Anonymous
With every difficult experience comes an opportunity to learn, grow, and transform how we think and do things. This year has not been easy, but we faced the unknown and braved our fears together – as a class, as a school, and as a district. The stories from inside our buildings are ones of creativity, empathy, critical thinking, and resilience. The pandemic transformed how we face problems and overcome them. It transformed how we structure classroom lessons, projects, and assessments. Most importantly, it transformed how we think about and form personal connections and relationships. What we all learned is, by building a strong school community, we can overcome any hardship and come out successful on the other side.
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