5 Reasons Virtual Teaching is Weird

 There’s no better way to say it - virtual teaching is weird.  

I recently spoke to a group of senior education majors at a local university about distance learning, and that’s what I told them, too.  These students are going to student teach in the spring, and many of them will experience virtual teaching for at least part of their placement.  They’re going to feel underprepared; we all do.  They’re going to feel frustrated; we all do.  They are going to give it their all; we all are.  At the end of the day, virtual teaching isn’t bad, but it also isn’t good.  It’s just weird.  

Here are my top 5 reasons why virtual teaching is weird:

1. I’m operating in a million different timeframes.  I am currently creating videos for lessons that won’t be taught for 2 months.  I spent my summer creating videos for the fall, and I’m using the fall to create videoed lessons for the spring. 
   
   That’s happening, while I’m grading work from 2 weeks ago.  Students are given 2 or 3 week packets of work at a time.  They turn in every 2-3 weeks, so I’m always behind on grading.  I know this isn’t best practice, but for now, it’s the best option I have.  So, I grade work and provide feedback in two [or three] week chunks.
   
   But there’s more! HA!  I am copying, organizing, and labeling work for my students that they’ll do in 2-3 weeks.  I have to create the packets that go home every few weeks, so I have to keep up with where the last packet ends and the new packet begins.
   
   But wait… I am simultaneously teaching 30 minutes lessons twice per day, live on Microsoft Teams.  These are supplemental, but I still have to plan for it.
   
   So… yeah.  So. many. timeframes.  It’s enough to make my head spin.
   
   

2. Core instruction is self-paced.  This is such a strange concept to me, but it's something that I find very intriguing.  I want to explore the idea of incorporating this in my in-person teaching in the future, but that is a project to plan for another day; I have enough going on at the moment (see #1).  My school district has commissioned teachers from grades K-5 to record lessons to send out to the masses.  So, while I am the “virtual teacher” much of the core instruction isn’t coming from me.
   
   

3. Routine and predictability is still key.  I quickly figured out that during my daily live lessons, my students needed routine, expectations, and predictability, just like they do in the classroom.  Thankfully, I was able to implement this fairly early in the school year, and we’ve pretty much got it down to a science at this point.  If you’re interested in establishing a routine and structure to your virtual teaching, click the picture below.
   

   
   
   

4. Relationships still matter.  This one is tough, but in my heart I know it’s the most important part of my job.  Many of my students aren’t able to join the daily live teaching on Teams, so I have to build relationships through phone and snail mail.  My kiddos that get on our daily meetings have been a lot easier to establish relationships with comparatively, but it is still different.  I was able to catch a soccer game for 2 of my virtual students.  It was SO MUCH FUN to see their smiles, meet their siblings that I always catch glimpses of on Teams, and HUG them. 
   
   Since I teach little guys, the communication with families is how I’m building a lot of relationships.  I make contact with every family at least once per week.  I know SO much about my kids and their families.  This is definitely something I will remember to make a priority when I’m back in person.  The families trust me; they depend on me.  They are more willing to try new things and hear ways to improve because I have established a relationship with the whole family.  I have been a cheerleader, a counselor, a voice of reason, a listening ear… Just like I do every year (and so do you, teacher!).  It just looks  a little bit different this year.
   
   

5. It is the greatest love/hate relationship I’ve ever been a part of.  HA!  But I’m serious.  There are so many things that I just do not like about virtual teaching.  I’m not going to lie… it is gut-wrenching to see kids in classrooms and hear about all of the amazing things Robyn is doing with in-person kids.  BUT, if I were teaching in person, I’d miss greeting all of the bus riders each morning.  I get to see former students every morning, and I get to greet so many kids with a big smile (that they can’t see) every single day.  I cannot stand all of the piles of papers I have in my room.  But, I do not miss writing lesson plans for hours on end each week.  I don’t like that I don’t get to teach my heart out, but I am thankful that I don’t have the added stress of social distancing and mask policing all day like Robyn does (and guys... she's killing it).
   
   

I know that I am blessed beyond measure and I am grateful to still have a job doing what I love. But… virtual teaching is weird. 

Did I leave anything off the list?  What would you add?

- Kaysin (one half of FlockStarTeachers)