\u201cAt first, it was slightly overwhelming, because I teach three sections of a project-based anatomy class,\u201d said Lauren Ovalle<\/strong><\/a>, who received a bachelor\u2019s degree in adolescent and young adult education in 2018 and is a life sciences teacher at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tenn.<\/p>\n Lauren Ovalle, who received a bachelor\u2019s degree in adolescent and young adult education from UToledo and is a life sciences teacher at Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville, Tenn., says it is important to remember that remote learning is “uncharted territory for everyone involved.”<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWhat I keep reminding myself is that this is uncharted territory for everyone involved: students, teachers, parents and administrators. If I can go into every session positive, and send my students and their parents positive communication, that will only make this experience more enjoyable for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n Flexibility is key as teachers adjust lesson planning, grading and basic communication. Videoconferencing tools offered by Zoom and Google, as well as old-fashioned planning and expectation-setting, are helping navigate these unprecedented times of learning from home for both teachers and students.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to tell them at the beginning of the week what to expect from me,\u201d said Patrice Brock<\/strong><\/a>, who graduated from UToledo\u2019s Licensure and Master\u2019s Program in adolescent and young adult education in 2013 and is a science teacher at Central Catholic High School in Toledo. \u201cWhile we\u2019re posting to several classes ourselves, they\u2019re receiving posts from six to seven classes. It\u2019s new to all of us, so as much framework and structure as we can give them will be helpful.”<\/p>\n Kaitlyn Bergman<\/strong><\/a>, a 2018 alumna with a bachelor\u2019s degree in adolescent and young adult education and math teacher at Central Catholic, echoes that predictability helps to recreate the rhythm and pace of a normal school day as much as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething that\u2019s worked well for my students is giving them a weekly calendar,\u201d Bergman said. \u201cI\u2019ve had students tell me that it\u2019s more like what we do every day in class.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as important as the lessons and curriculum, however, is the need to maintain a personal connection with students.<\/p>\n Adam Fineske, a two-time UToledo alumnus with a bachelor\u2019s degree in education and master\u2019s degree in educational leadership and administration in 2004, is superintendent for Ottawa Hills Local Schools and advises teachers to be flexible. \u201cWe\u2019re focusing more on connectedness versus content.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Lauren-Ovalle.jpg\")
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