Tips for New Teachers: What I Wish I Knew

Starting a teaching career can be overwhelming, especially without the support of a comprehensive teacher preparation program. The transition into the classroom often brings anxiety and uncertainty.

My journey was unique. I was assigned two campuses while managing five-course preps. At first glance, this might seem daunting to most, and truthfully, it was a significant challenge. However, this experience provided invaluable lessons. The contrasting cultures and demographics of the two campuses broadened my perspective, and the strong support system at one of the schools was crucial to my growth.

Now, fifteen years later, here’s what I wish I had known as a new teacher:

Ask Questions: The Key to Growth as a New Teacher

As a new teacher, you don’t know what you don’t know. The best way to navigate the learning curve is by asking questions—whether to colleagues in your content area, teachers in your hallway, or those with similar teaching experiences. These conversations will provide some of the most valuable insights as you establish yourself in the classroom.

Asking questions is essential to success, from lesson planning and classroom management to scheduling and parent communication. Even after fifteen years in the profession, I continue to seek advice from my peers. Every school has its own culture, and what works in one environment may not be effective in another. If you transition to a new campus, district, or leadership team, take the time to understand the expectations and dynamics of your new setting.

Not Sure What to Ask? Start Here.

To help you navigate your first few months, consider asking:

  • Student Expectations: What are the arrival, dismissal, and transition procedures?
  • Student Demographics: What should I know about our student population?
  • Curriculum & Pacing: Is there a district-mandated curriculum or pacing guide?
  • Technology Resources: What tools are available for teachers and students?
  • Professional Development: What training opportunities are offered?
  • Observations: Am I allowed to observe other teachers on and off campus?
  • Administrator Feedback: How do administrators provide feedback?
  • Campus Routines: What are the key procedures (e.g., CHAMPS, lunch routines, hallway transitions)?
  • Parent Communication: What is the preferred method for contacting parents? Am I required to document interactions?
  • Student Accommodations: How do I track 504 and IEP accommodations, and where is this information recorded?

You’ll gain confidence and build a strong foundation for your teaching career by actively seeking guidance. Never hesitate to ask—every question brings you one step closer to success.

Beg, Borrow, Steal, Adapt, and Train: Learning from Others as a New Teacher

One of the most valuable things you can do as a new teacher is learn from those around you. This includes colleagues within your building, educators from other schools, professional networks, social media, and online teaching resources such as Teachers Pay Teachers. With so many tools and sources of inspiration available, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

Recommendations for Expanding Your Knowledge

  • Explore District and Regional Trainings – Contact your district about in-person or digital training opportunities. Many states also have regional education offices that offer professional development for teachers. They may provide additional training options if you’re part of a union. Before enrolling, confirm whether the training counts toward the required professional development hours.
  • Join Webinars for Educational Technology – Many platforms, such as Canva, Nearpod, and IXL, offer free webinars to help teachers maximize student engagement and learning through their tools.
  • Engage with Social Media Communities – Follow experienced educators on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Many share valuable teaching strategies, classroom management tips, and creative lesson ideas, often with real-life implementation examples.
  • Curate and Adapt What Works for You – No single resource or lesson perfectly fits your teaching style, schedule, or classroom structure. Be selective—take what aligns with your needs, modify where necessary, and leave out what doesn’t work. Remember that different schools follow different schedules, such as block scheduling versus shorter class periods, so flexibility is key.

Leveraging the wealth of knowledge from your professional community can help you build a strong foundation and continue evolving as an educator. Teaching is a collaborative profession—embrace shared wisdom and don’t be afraid to adapt to your unique classroom environment.

Be Yourself: The Power of Authentic Teaching

Authenticity is key to long-term success and reduced stress in teaching. Stay true to your teaching style and preferences. If interactive notebooks aren’t your thing, don’t feel pressured to use them. Teaching should balance innovation and comfort—trying new strategies is valuable, but forcing yourself into methods that don’t align with your style can lead to unnecessary stress. I believe in experimenting with different approaches at least once, but if something doesn’t work for you, it’s okay to let it go. What works for one teacher may not work for another, and that’s perfectly fine.

Building Relationships: The Foundation of Effective Teaching

Strong student relationships are essential for a successful classroom. Dedicate at least the first few days to getting to know your students. These conversations may initially feel surface-level—discussing favorite sports, candy, TV shows, or music—but they serve as a starting point for deeper connections. When asking students about their interests, be sure to share your own—modeling this interaction fosters mutual trust and engagement.

As the year progresses, find ways to incorporate personal connections into your curriculum. This can be done through warm-ups, exit tickets, or content-related discussions. For an English teacher, personal reflections and discussions are naturally woven into lessons, but small moments for connection are possible even in subjects like math. A little effort goes a long way in building trust and rapport.

However, always maintain professional boundaries. Avoid oversharing personal details, and remember that as a teacher, you are a mandated reporter. Some students face challenges far beyond their years; you may hear complex stories. If a student shares something concerning, you must report it appropriately.

By remaining authentic and prioritizing relationships, you can create a supportive and engaging learning environment where you and your students can thrive.

You Are Your Best Advocate

Above all, remember that you are your strongest advocate. Stay true to your values and teaching philosophy, and never lose sight of what matters most. This ties back to authenticity—finding fulfillment in this profession requires staying aligned with your core beliefs and principles.

That said, being true to yourself does not mean imposing personal views or political opinions on students. In many states, doing so is against ethical guidelines. Instead, model the values you believe in through your actions. If family is important to you, foster a classroom environment that feels like a supportive community rather than expecting students to conform to a traditional family structure. If you believe in equality, empower all students to express their perspectives respectfully rather than promoting a singular viewpoint. Demonstrating fairness, inclusivity, and critical thinking allows students to develop their values in an unbiased environment.

Applying these foundational principles can make your first year as a teacher successful. While there are countless strategies to help you navigate this journey, too much advice at once can become overwhelming. Start small, implement changes gradually, and refine your approach over time. Teaching is a lifelong learning process—embrace it with confidence and authenticity.

How to Review the School Day at Home: A Guide for Parents

Reviewing the school day at home can be a valuable practice for reinforcing learning, fostering communication, and strengthening the parent-child relationship. Parents play a pivotal role in helping children process what they learn at school, fostering a deeper understanding of academic content and supporting emotional development. Research suggests that discussing the school day can enhance memory retention, boost motivation, and build stronger academic habits (Epstein, 2011). This blog explores strategies for parents to effectively review the school day at home, promoting both academic success and emotional well-being.

Open-Ended Questions Encourage Meaningful Conversations

One of the most effective ways to review the school day is through open-ended questions, which encourage children to reflect on their experiences. Instead of asking, “How was school?”—which often elicits a simple “good” or “fine”—parents can ask more specific questions that prompt deeper thought. Questions such as “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” or “Can you tell me about a challenge you faced?” allow children to express themselves in more detail and engage in meaningful conversations.

Research by Fishel and Ramirez (2005) suggests that open-ended questions help children reflect on both academic content and their emotions, fostering emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Parents should listen actively and avoid interrupting, allowing the child to take the lead in sharing their thoughts. This process not only helps children articulate their learning but also fosters a sense of support and encouragement from the parent.

Incorporate a Routine

Creating a routine for reviewing the school day can benefit both parents and children. Just as students thrive on classroom routines, having a set time to discuss their day at home can provide structure and consistency (Epstein, 2011). Whether it’s during dinner, on the ride home from school, or before bedtime, establishing a regular time for reflection can help children prepare mentally and emotionally to share their thoughts.

Routines also ensure that reviewing the school day becomes a habit rather than a sporadic activity. According to Clear (2018), habits are more likely to stick when they are tied to specific cues—such as the end of the school day or a family meal. By setting aside a specific time for this conversation, parents can create a predictable space for children to share their day and process what they have learned.

Celebrate Small Wins

Acknowledging and celebrating small achievements during the school day can boost children’s motivation and confidence. When reviewing the day, parents should focus on both academic and social accomplishments to reinforce that all aspects of the school experience are important. Positive reinforcement, such as recognizing effort in completing a challenging assignment or highlighting acts of kindness, encourages children to take pride in their work and social interactions.

According to Carol Dweck’s (2006) research on the growth mindset, praising effort over inherent ability helps children understand that they can improve through hard work. By celebrating progress rather than perfection, parents can help their children develop resilience and a love of learning. Simple gestures, such as verbal praise or spending quality time together, can reinforce positive behaviors associated with schoolwork.

Focus on Emotions, Not Just Academics

School days are not just about learning math or reading; they are also filled with emotional and social experiences. It’s essential for parents to recognize the emotional dimension of their child’s school day when reviewing it at home. Asking about how a child felt during different parts of the day, how they navigated social interactions, or whether anything made them feel frustrated or proud can open up a broader conversation about emotional well-being.

Studies by Elias et al. (1997) highlight the importance of emotional intelligence in academic success. When parents provide a safe space for children to express their emotions, they help build emotional regulation skills, which are crucial for managing stress and maintaining focus in school. Additionally, validating a child’s feelings—whether they are excited, frustrated, or anxious—can create a supportive home environment where children feel understood and valued.

Encourage Problem-Solving and Reflection

Part of reviewing the school day should involve helping children reflect on any challenges they encountered. Whether it’s a difficult math problem, a disagreement with a friend, or anxiety about an upcoming test, parents can encourage their children to think critically about how to address these challenges. Asking questions like “What do you think you could do differently next time?” or “Is there anything you need help with?” can guide children toward problem-solving strategies.

According to Xu and Corno (2020), reflection and problem-solving are critical skills that contribute to academic resilience. By encouraging children to think about solutions rather than just problems, parents can foster a sense of independence and self-efficacy. This approach also reinforces the idea that challenges are a normal part of learning, helping children develop a healthy attitude toward overcoming obstacles.

Conclusion

Reviewing the school day at home offers numerous benefits, from reinforcing academic concepts to fostering emotional intelligence. By asking open-ended questions, establishing a routine, celebrating small achievements, and focusing on both academic and emotional experiences, parents can create a supportive environment that encourages their children’s growth. This daily review not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also instills lifelong learning habits that contribute to academic success and emotional well-being.

References

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.

Elias, M. J., Gara, M. A., & Ubriaco, M. (1997). Emotional intelligence, social problem solving, and applied intelligence. In Social development: Relationships in infancy, childhood, and adolescence (pp. 167-193). Sage Publications.

Epstein, J. L. (2011). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Westview Press.

Fishel, M., & Ramirez, L. (2005). Parent involvement in children’s education: A review of research and policy. Family Involvement Research Digest, 1-6.

Xu, J., & Corno, L. (2020). Engaging homework: Perspectives from teachers, parents, and students. Theory Into Practice, 59(1), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2019.1682173

3 Methods of Modeling in the ELAR Classroom

Modeling in the classroom is vital for helping students do their best. As educators, we often strive for perfection in showing students how mechanics should be completed, whether it’s fluency, compression, writing, editing, or revising.

But the reality is that even teachers need to model mistakes in a classroom. It makes teachers human and allows kids to connect with their teachers and release the pressure of perfection.

1) Write Without Organization

One of the first things I model with my students is brainstorming and writing. I don’t worry about details, paragraphs, word choice, introduction, conclusion, setting, etc. I just write.

Whatever flows from your mind should be processed on paper. You should never try to make the first attempt perfect – not with grammar, spelling, content organization, etc. Students should see you struggle as they would struggle. They should note any mishaps you have so they don’t feel pressured to be perfect at the start.

If you teach middle or high school, you likely have multiple classes. It would help to have an imperfect draft as a model. If you have time, it’s suggested that you write in front of them for every class. One way to spice this up is to create a different prompt for every class so you have multiple stories to tell.

Why is this important?

Sometimes, students feel the pressure to be perfect in their writing, which can cause brain fog. They get so wrapped up in needing all the literary elements that they forget the story’s basics.

Allowing a student to write freely lets ideas flow and run through without stress about perfection or judgment. Students who “just write” often find it easier to adjust their writing and revisit their content to ensure greater success.

Allowing them to write will also enable students to choose what they want YOU, as a teacher, to focus on during revision. Once the student gets the basic story on paper, you can focus on differentiation through small-group instruction.

If you allow them to write before creating a graphic organizer to separate the organization into paragraphs, you allow them to gather their overall thoughts before trying to break them down into big ideas. They can take apart their own essays and place them into “categories,” which become the paragraphs of the paper.

This can also make grading more manageable for you by allowing the student to focus on one thing at a time.

How to implement a small group after “just writing”:

Some small groups could be the standards that push students to the next level, which automatically leads to revision:

  • Theme
  • Thesis/Claim
  • Character Development
  • Sensory Detail
  • Introduction/Conclusion
  • Supporting Evidence
  • Use of Text/Graphic Features
  • Organization
  • Setting
  • Word Choice
  • Grammar
  • Conflict-Resolution

2) Marking the Text

When introducing a new concept, it is important to mark the text. This is best done color-coded. I personally enjoy different colored highlighters or colored pencils. I have the students match my colors as much as possible to ensure they have the same notes I do.

How to implement:

For example, when we learn about CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning), we use three colors. I like to use blue, red/pink, and green, but any three colors will work. I often do Blue for Claim, Red/Pink for Evidence, and Green for Reasoning.

During the first read of the passage, we just read, think aloud, and process what’s being said. We may pause and discuss chunks, summarize chunks, or find methods to help us “remember” the paragraphs of each section.

On the second read, we often look for the colors, focusing on one at a time. We will discuss what the claim is and how we know it’s the claim. Once the claim is identified, we often discuss the various ways it can be stated. As we read, we highlight in blue any mention of the claim. We discuss why the author repeats the claim throughout the passage, not just at the beginning and end.

On the third read, we focus on the red/pink for evidence. When we discuss evidence, we look for statistics, references, citations, etc. We look for facts about the topic. We avoid opinions, thoughts, and unproven methods. Whenever we see evidence, we highlight it in red/pink. From there, we discuss how the evidence supports the claim and why it’s essential to include it. This deepens understanding of how authors are intentional in their work.

On the last read, I focused on the green for reasons. Reasons support the evidence, which supports the claim. Reasons are the explanations for why the evidence is important. We draw attention to this to help students see the author’s thought process for supporting their claim.

Why it’s important:

By color-coding and modeling this, students can see the paper’s organization and better understand the author’s craft.

This gives a visual representation of writing for students. This allows students to see whether their own writing mirrors the author’s and make adjustments as needed. Students can go back to their papers and color-code their papers. If they do not see all three colors, they can revise to help their claim.

This method works for any genre or standard. The important thing is that there is a color-coded key for students to follow and refer back to often, ensuring they have a reliable reference for their own use.

3) One-Pagers

One mistake educators often make is believing students are familiar with certain classroom strategies. Though students may have a concrete background in most strategies, treating each strategy as brand new is essential.

Modeling one-pagers is vital because everyone has a different idea of what a one-pager should look like. The expectations should be drawn out as you grade a student’s one-pager. Sometimes, having a good and a “bad” example will help the student understand the difference. Students don’t need to be artists, so it’s essential to show that they don’t by incorporating stick figures, too!

How to implement:

One of the first activities I do at the beginning of the year is a one-pager about myself. On this one-pager, I put information strictly about me there: my interest in reading, writing, cats, traveling, pens, favorite snacks (Skittles, Doritos), shopping (Amazon, Target, Ulta), drinks (water, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper), and general information about my family (like two brothers, two nieces, two nephews, etc.).

When I do this, I incorporate different lettering, page breakdowns (how the one-pager is organized), images, colors, and more.

Why it’s important:

This is a great way to build relationships with students and set expectations for one-pagers. I only make one for this, even if I teach multiple classes, because it takes so much time. Sometimes, I will create or add to them in each class so students can see my progress. Having it already created allows me to think aloud with the students on the one-pager and explain why I chose what I did and how it ties to the rubric.

Modeling Doesn’t Stop There

Modeling is incredibly important for students, whether in first grade or eleventh grade. It allows students to see the process in action and process their learning with it. There are millions of ways to model within the classroom. Starting small with one of the methods above is easy and not too time-consuming. It doesn’t require much adjustment.

One of the biggest benefits of modeling is that it allows you to identify and address any misconceptions students may have during the creation process. I always told my students, “I never give you anything I haven’t done.” I do this not only to determine misconceptions but also to determine their interest in the topic at hand. If I’m bored, they’re bored.

How COVID Changed Education

COVID has completely changed the way the world operates. It has affected how we interact as people, how we learn, how we do jobs, how we celebrate big events (baby showers, birthdays, weddings), and more. The area most impacted by COVID has been education.

Setting

With the COVID-19 shutdown in March, the physical setting of school has changed in several ways.

Virtual or Building

Over the summer, teachers and administrators received detailed, intensive training on how to meet students’ needs during a global pandemic, both virtually and in person. This training was needed, regardless of a global pandemic. With the uptick in technological needs, the training teachers and administrators received was a lifelong necessity.

Since March 2020, students have been learning virtually. Initially, schools were thrown into the new process, and lessons weren’t well-developed. Teachers and students struggled with how lessons were presented in late Spring 2020. Students who were already behind in grade level fell even further behind, due to the lack of time teachers had to prepare for the national shutdown.

504 and Special Education

It appeared that students with 504 and SpEd needs were indirectly left behind. Although teachers tried to adapt to the needs of those with special circumstances, it was impossible to provide all the necessary tools with minimal training and preparation. Case managers of 504 and SpEd students did not know how to provide many accommodations. Some accommodations came naturally, such as: extra time, eliminating answer choices/shortened answer choices, and oral testing.

Parental Support

Parents and/or guardians weren’t sure how to provide for their students’ educational needs. It may seem easy to hover over a student to ensure they complete work, but completing work and learning are two different concepts. USA Today provided a great insight into how students and parents/guardians are struggling to meet their students’ special education needs.

Choices and Growth

This year, campuses received an option to start virtually or in person. Daily Voice talks about how this could be the new normal, which I agree with. Some states allowed their districts to delay the start, while other districts chose to go against their states’ wishes and risk losing funding. Many campuses chose to offer a combination of in-person and virtual options. This presented new challenges (how to account for true attendance, when work is due, lessons delivered virtually and in person, what to do with students who do not complete work, how to handle special circumstances, password lockouts, eLearning platforms crashing, etc.).

Even though this was a more successful start than in March 2020, and most teachers were better prepared to handle the curriculum, some still struggle with the new methods expected of them. Older generations of teachers struggled with uploading materials, making videos, using eLearning platforms, and the like. Districts tried to hire a fresh round of employees (teachers, technologists, coaches, etc.) to support these struggling learners and replace teachers who left due to COVID.

Workload

One of the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic is the increased workload for teachers, administrators, coaches, technologists, and case managers.

Before and Now

Teachers were already facing an uphill battle with documentation for state and federal guidelines, but now they are facing additional documentation due to the choice to be virtual or in-person. Refinery 29 offers valuable insight into what teachers faced at the beginning and middle of the pandemic, directly from teachers. Teachers were already required to provide lesson plans, substitute plans, emergency substitute plans, teacher input for 504 and SpEd students, tracking of accommodations, parent or guardian contact, tracking of work submissions and/or failures, and attendance.

In addition to all of this, teachers around the world are now required to meet additional documentation requirements for the campus and/or district to receive funding. A student going to the nurse now requires documentation that had never been an issue before due to COVID. A student who is not submitting work online requires more documentation than an email or a phone call home. Teachers are now tracking how much a student has completed virtually, providing in-person and virtual tutoring, logging Zoom or Google Meet meetings for in-person and virtual classes, teaching simultaneously in-person and on Zoom, and maintaining discipline in in-person and virtual classes.

Technology Experts

Teachers have also become the first point of contact for technology issues, with the expectation that they know how to resolve them. Teachers have faced password lockouts, password resets, Microsoft 365 or G Suite not loading in eLearning platforms, Zoom or Google Meet not connecting, work not submitting to eLearning platforms, work not opening on these platforms, these platforms crashing, and much more.

Physical Layout of Building

Although campus structures did not change, the way campuses handle the physical layout of classrooms, lunchrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and more has changed. The CDC issued new guidelines for campuses that limit decision-making for teachers and administrators.

Distancing

Classrooms across the United States went from an average of 25-30 students per core classroom (math, science, history, and English language arts) to about 10-20 students per classroom. To meet the needs of the global pandemic, desks were rearranged and spread out throughout the classroom. Although teachers and students may not be able to maintain a six-foot distance, teachers tried to aim for a minimum of three to five feet by placing desks farther apart. However, classrooms just aren’t large enough to maintain social distancing requirements. Mashable shows some pictures of what teachers are facing currently.

An example of an attempt to social distance is from a local campus:

Masks

So how do teachers get around this? Districts made it mandatory that students and teachers wear some sort of face covering (shield, mask, or a combination of both – anything except bandanas). In doing so, teachers are still trying to space desks about 3-4 feet apart. This isn’t ideal for a classroom for a variety of reasons, mainly because it changes how teachers plan their lessons. However, everyone’s safety is the number one priority. If that means we have less collaboration and engagement in face-to-face learning to be safe, then that is what the campus must do.

Fountains

Water fountains were covered and/or disconnected on some campuses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some water fountains were replaced with water bottle refill stations. Another option campuses have offered is leaving the water fountains uncovered, but only for refilling water bottles. That places a lot of trust in students and requires a lot of adult supervision to ensure they are used properly.

Procedures

As mentioned previously, facial coverings are now required for adults and students in the building. Although they have options as to their facial covering, this still presents many issues.

What happens if a student comes unprepared with a mask? How many chances do they get in order to self-correct? How many free masks will students receive before disciplinary action is taken? Will disciplinary actions occur? What is considered a truly appropriate mask in terms of coverage and design? Too many questions and not enough answers!

Cleaning Routines

Teachers, bus drivers, and custodians are all working overtime to ensure their environments are sterilized. Bus drivers are required to sanitize the bus after every drop-off. This includes seating, railings, or any other area a student may touch. Custodians are wiping stair railings, door handles, and benches (even though students are not supposed to sit on them, they are cleaning to ensure they are safe), fogging rooms and bathroom stalls, and more.

Although several of these cleanings have always been done (such as bathroom stalls), the sanitizing process takes much longer, sometimes requiring bathrooms to be shut down temporarily. Teachers are using medical-grade disinfectant to wipe desks, chairs, keyboards, books, dictionaries, and much more in between classes. Mind you, teachers are supposed to be in the hallway between passing periods. Teachers also have to worry about students with allergies to any cleaner. The disinfectant needs to sit for at least three minutes. Passing periods for most middle school campuses range from three to five minutes. It makes it difficult for a teacher to be at two places at once, while ensuring safety both with COVID and allergies.

Supplies

Teachers are no longer allowed to “borrow out” supplies. Students cannot lend supplies to other students. If a student comes unprepared, teachers constantly give them supplies to keep. This doesn’t seem like a big deal. However, if a student needs a pen/pencil every 180 days, that will add up to an average of 150 students per middle school teacher and 200 per high school teacher. These are endless battles faced in a typical school year, but teachers typically have procedures in place to retrieve their items. Given that most supplies come from teachers’ income, these new procedures can be frustrating, but they are necessary to keep everyone safe.

Nurses/Clinic Assistance

Nurses’ routines have also been affected by COVID. In the past, the nurse would welcome any student to their office with minor issues (headaches, bandages, feminine products, etc.). However, with COVID, the procedure for sending a student to the nurse’s office has changed drastically.

Unless a student has a medical condition (diabetes, allergies requiring EPI pens, seizures, a G-tube, etc.) or COVID-19 symptoms, students’ medical needs should be assessed in the classroom. Teachers were equipped with the necessary tools to handle many medical issues within the classroom.

Nurses used to be able to check the vital signs of teachers and administrators. Yet again, COVID has changed this. Teachers and administrators are no longer allowed into nurses’ offices. If you are concerned about having your vitals taken, nurses have offered to come to the teachers’ classrooms. This shouldn’t be because of a curious moment; it should be because they feel something is bothering them (heart racing, dizziness, etc.).

Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast and lunch used to be times when students could socialize and release their energy for the day. Now, students are expected to skip seats and minimize their movement and socialization. Imagine seeing your best friend daily, but not allowed to sit by them or talk to them because a pandemic is limiting you.

Impact on Educational Setting

Although some may see the pandemic as a benefit, with fewer face-to-face classes, there are several drawbacks. Because of the pandemic, students are no longer allowed to work in small groups, collaboration groups, or similar settings. This is harming students’ education. Collaboration is the essence of all future jobs for students. More importantly, collaboration helps students understand the material by discussing it with peers.

There are millions of people impacted by COVID-19, but the biggest group facing change right now is those in education: teachers, students, paraprofessionals, and administrators. School districts have lost teachers at an alarming rate, and it won’t slow down as long as the coronavirus is around.