BV educators find creative ways to teach

Educators at Brandon Valley and across the country have been forced to teach in new ways since distance learning became the norm. The Journal reached out to our educators, asking them to submit the ways in which they’re teaching and staying connected to their students.

Sarah Darling, a first-grade teacher at Brandon Elementary, wants to keep learning as normal as possible for her students. Like many, she’s staying connected through the aid of Zoom chats and flipgrid videos.

But she’s also keeping the kids laughing by sharing a joke of the day with them.

“When we were in school, I always would read a joke of the day to them, so I have been sending a couple jokes out to their parents to share with them. They love getting the jokes and parents have said the whole family looks forward to them each day,” she shared.

Second-grade teacher at BE, Kim Kueter has been connecting with her students by sending them read aloud videos of some of her favorite children’s books. 

“Each week, students look forward to receiving a new read aloud video,” Kueter said.

Kueter said family communication has been key during this time, and one way she’s been able to stay connected is through emails and pictures of the students’ work from home. 

Several weeks in, Katee Lane, a fourth-grade teacher at BE, ha come to the conclusion that BV families are “strong, responsible and just … AMAZING!”

“My 24 students are completing their work, e-mailing their questions, posting flipgrid videos, participating in Zoom meetings, and blowing my mind,” she said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our community, and I feel that we are rising up in response. My students have sent me pictures of their science experiments at home, coursework being completed, and videos of their family fun time. Although it breaks my heart to know that our fourth-grade students are moving on to the intermediate building next year without doing their ‘clap out’, I am trying to take it day by day and enjoy the interactions I have with them as we finish the school year.”

Jerrid Van Sloten, a kindergarten teacher at BE, chose to type his message to his students, “as I was unable to get through it without tearing up,” he said.

During this uncertain time away from the classroom, please know that I am thinking about you, and I hope that you are safe and healthy. I miss your stories, your smiles, and I miss our classroom with the energy that each of you bring. Please continue to be you and I can’t wait to see all of you!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Van Sloten

Terry Huska, a first-grade teacher at Valley Springs Elementary, admits she’s no computer whiz. Thankfully, her own children are guiding her through the available technology to teach and connect with her students.

“I learned how to do Zoom and now I have weekly chats with my students,” Huska said. 

Huska has created themes for the weekly chats.

“The first time we just chatted and got to see each other,” she said. 

Costumes were encouraged for the second chat.

“The kids could dress in any costume and share what they were wearing visually and orally,” she said.

An upcoming chat, deemed “PJ night,” will have the kids dressing in comfy pajamas, crawling into bed or somewhere comfortable.

“Each time we meet on Zoom,” Huska tells, “I have a schedule set up. They are invited in by me, we chat, they all say “hello” and tell what they did for the theme.”

The virtual class continues with Huska reading from the June B. Jones series, picking up where she left off when kids were still coming to school. From there, Huska quizzes the students with questions. Each student gets a chance to answer, and then, they say their good-byes.

Before the class meeting ends, Huska announces next  week’s theme.

To keep her students motivated to complete their distance learning assignments, this VSE educator also sends a video challenge to them.

“I had 100 percent participation and completion for weeks 1, 2 and 3, I let my own children throw water balloons at me,” says a brave Huska, who then shares a video of the silliness with her students.

“Every three weeks I will set up a new challenge for the kids to complete their work and I will do something silly or have something done to me,” she adds.

Fred Assam Elementary second-grade teacher JoAnn Presler has taken her students on virtual field trips. Presler ventured to Oakridge Nursery & Landscaping, to Royalwood Dairy Farm and the Brandon Valley Journal.