Before the current school year comes to an end, schools must reach out and engage with families to determine what they intent to do for next year. Do they want full time on site learning? Are there those who would rather continue with distance learning? Do they prefer some type of hybrid learning? Schools must collect and analyze this data in order to plan and prepare for next school year over the Summer.
During Summer, teachers and administrators should make use of as much professional development as needed for instructional design and student scheduling in addition to addressing the needs of students and their families regarding achievement gap, emotional support, social development, confidence building, etc. Utilize all collected information, and experience learned this past year, to come up with a plan that accommodates students' needs.
Once it is time to return back to school, starting off right will be imperative. Students must be welcomed, feel safe, and be ready to learn, with updated safety protocols in place as recommended by health agencies and required by educational governing bodies. Preparedness and flexibility must be a teaching priority in the event that outbreaks occur and temporary lockdowns are needed.
With careful planning and constant communication the 2021-22 school year can be a year in which learning pivots back towards the development and preparedness of students as future leaders in the community, productive employees of the workforce, and caring members in their families.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
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