Dist. 218 Shares Lessons In Remote Learning

OAK LAWN, IL — Remote learning has changed since second semester last spring.

CHSD 218, like all school systems, scrambled as the pandemic surged. We needed to close our buildings and switch to remote learning quickly.

Over the summer, however, district staff prepared along two tracks: That we would return to in-person instruction and the possibility that we might not.

While everyone wants students to return to school as soon as health authorities recommend, our principals laud what’s happening remotely.

In the days ahead we will share thoughts from Eisenhower, Richards, and Shepard principals Dr. Erik Briseño, Dr. Mike Jacobson, and Dr. Greg Walder.

They write eloquently on the service, dedication, creativity, and professionalism with which our teachers approach each day. We're sharing the thoughts of each principal on all three Facebook pages as they collaborate on planning and best practices.

What pride we feel reading their words.

Dr. Mike Jacobson, Richards

I think the biggest difference between the remote learning last spring and the remote learning now is contextual to the calendar. Last year it was sprung on us at the end of the year. This year we had more time to prepare for opening the school in a remote model.

So, this year we are more prepared than we were before, but we are really missing that connection to the kids. We are a district that prides itself on building relationships with kids and families. We know how important those connections are to student learning.

This semester, I am co-teaching a class with an English teacher. I can tell you first hand that we have had to go above and beyond to connect with our kids. I understand that it is a different kind of work than we have done in the past.

But I assure you it is not less work. Every lesson I plan takes twice as long as it used to. There are so many more things to consider from how can I make this learning more engaging, to how can I better use the technology to give kids inspiration and access.

This is true while we also identify and consider the individual learning styles of the kids. We know we are remote, but we still want Richards to be a special place that reaches out and involves every single Bulldog.