- April 18, 2024
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Many Flagler Schools teachers are teaching two classes at once: One group of students in the classroom, and another group that’s watching over a webcam from home for what the school district is calling “remote virtual” learning.
That is not working, and teachers want change, multiple teachers told School Board members in a board workshop on Sept. 1 after the first week of classes.
"I got into teaching to teach kids, and I don't feel like I'm doing that."
— BRANDEE CRIST, teacher, on the difficulties of teaching in-class students and remote-learning sudents simultaneously
Several teachers, saying they were speaking for more than a hundred others, recommended transforming Fridays into an “enrichment” day in which most students would stay home — and, if they do go to school, would study in the cafeteria or another common area under the supervision of non-instructional staff — rather than a direct instructional day.
Flagler County Educators Association President Katie Hansen said that in the 11 years she’s served in that role, this is the first year that she’s been contacted every day since the start of school by teachers who are in tears, threatening to leave the profession they’ve dedicated years to, because of what’s being asked of them.
The so-called “blended plan” where teachers are teaching two groups of students at once isn’t good for teachers or for students, she said.
Hansen read for the board one of the messages she’d received from a teacher.
“‘Today, I felt like I was dancing on hot coals while juggling five balls, a baton and a baton that was on fire.’” That’s how they feel,” Hansen said. “And we have parents that are interrupting instruction, parents that are being rude to teachers over Zoom in front of all of their students, technology issues — teachers are saying, ‘I am wasting so much instructional time just trying to take attendance and figure out who’s in my class and who’s not.’”
The plan for enrichment Fridays would give teachers time to do some of the additional work that’s being asked of them this year, which they have not received additional planning time for — for instance, coming up with new ways to teach previously in-class activities for remote learners, putting coursework and tests online and redesigning it all for online submission, and handling a deluge of emails from students and their parents about remote instruction, said Tina McNally, a teacher at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
“The amount of work added to accomplish blended learning was unforeseen,” she said. “But continuing to add onto the work without adequate time to get it done will ultimately hurt our students. The district was in a very tough position. We have done everything we can to make sure that we opened safely for students. Now let us collaborate to ensure that no student gets left behind because of blended learning.”
Brandee Crist, another teacher at Flagler Palm Coast High School, said having fewer students on campus on Fridays would also make it easier for the district’s custodial staff to disinfect classrooms.
For teachers, she said, the enrichment day wouldn’t be a break.
“It is a day for teachers to try to work to get ahead, to keep up and to stay above water, because right now we’re not doing that — and we’re only a week and a half in,” she said. “Once students are starting to do tests and they’re starting to do quizzes and assignments and all of that stuff on top, now we have to grade. We’re already floundering, and when that all starts, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I got into teaching to teach kids, and I don’t feel like I’m doing that.”
Board members did not directly address the proposal for enrichment Fridays, but board member Colleen Conklin urged them to listen.
“It’s always refreshing when people come to share a concern but then also share an idea for a possible solution,” she said. “I just want to encourage all of us, as a leadership team, to be open to listening and hearing what teachers are sharing right now.”
