We have done several episodes about the post COVID challenges facing incoming college students. They missed many of the defining high school moments (prom, graduation, dances, parties etc.) But what was the impact on early elementary students and teachers? What challenges did they face and more importantly what are they still facing? What you are going to learn today is why teachers are heroes. Let’s find out.
My guest today is Carrie Brennan, a 2nd grade teacher in Southern California. She has lived through the shelter at home, learning zoom, trying to teach 7- & 8-year-olds online, enforcing safety, distance, and quarantine once students returned to school.
Listen to how early elementary school teachers are making our children more socially and emotionally aware. What they are doing will touch your heart.
Meet the Guest: Carrie Brennan
Carrie Brennan is a dedicated second-grade teacher from Southern California. She has been teaching for over a decade and has a passion for helping her students succeed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carrie faced numerous challenges in adapting her teaching methods and supporting her students' learning.
✔️ Bachelor Degree in Physical Education with a minor in Physical
✔️ Therapy from California State University Sacramento
✔️ Teaching Credential from California State University Long Beach
✔️ 11 years teaching in grades K-3
✔️ Reading Intervention teacher for 1 year- grades 1-5
✔️ Married 25 years with 3 boys.
“I love teaching elementary school in the primary grades because of the students’ love of learning. They are curious and so excited to learn.”
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Challenges of Teaching During COVID-19: Carrie discussed the difficulties of maintaining safety protocols, managing behavioral issues, and supporting the social-emotional learning of her students.
- Impact on Phonics Learning: Many students have experienced negative effects on their phonics learning due to teachers wearing masks, leading to ongoing impacts on their reading abilities.
- Increase in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The pandemic has led to an increase in SEL in schools, aiming to address students' emotional needs that, if unmet, prevent effective learning.
- Behavioral Problems Among Students: The pandemic has caused behavioral problems among students as they struggle to manage their emotions, requiring teachers to help them navigate these challenges.
- Importance of SEL: SEL is seen as very important, with schools implementing it in their daily routine to teach students to identify their emotions, develop coping strategies, and interact effectively with others.
- Impact on Socialization Skills: The shift to virtual learning has impacted students' socialization skills, as they have had fewer opportunities for play dates and interactions with other children.
- Use of Tools and Resources for SEL: There is an increase in the use of tools and resources to support SEL in classrooms, such as books that help children understand and manage anxiety.
- Interventions for Students: Schools have started deploying interventions for students struggling with more intense emotional issues, including involving parents and recommending outside help as needed.
- Optimism About SEL: Despite the challenges, there is optimism about the potential positive outcomes of incorporating more SEL into education, producing future generations who are more emotionally aware and able to manage their emotions effectively.
💡 Discussion Points
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elementary education.
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The challenges faced by students and teachers during the pandemic.
- The adjustment to virtual learning and its effects on students' social and emotional well-being.
- The implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools.
- The transition back to in-person learning and the ongoing challenges.
- The role of teachers in supporting students' emotional health during these challenging times.
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Resources:
https://www.paradedeck.com/creator/trusttheprocess?track=pd
