Rolling With the Punches

By Alison Rollins, Illinois H&V

I am a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. I have been for over 21 years. I absolutely love my job and can’t imagine having chosen a different profession.

I teach in a self-contained classroom of kindergarten, first, and second grade students. All of my students have a delay in language due to a multitude of other factors along with hearing loss.

Like so many teachers across the country, I teach students who come from a variety of backgrounds. Many of our families speak a language other than English. Many have financial challenges. Many of my students have one or more siblings. Some have additional disabilities that may or may not yet be officially diagnosed.

It has always been a challenge finding ways to meet the needs of each and every individual student. I find myself constantly thinking about the daily lessons and whether or not I have done enough. I worry about how I can improve, how I can move them along so I can close the gap of delay faster, and/or how I can capture a particularly challenging student’s attention. This has been my daily life while teaching in a school setting.

If you ask most teachers, they will tell you that teaching is not the type of job you leave at your desk for the next day. It never has been and never will be that kind of work. Many of us call our students “our kids” and often are accidentally called “mom” at least once a week. On a daily basis, I am sure that many teachers will tell you that they go from being teacher to “parent”, “friend”, “nurse”, “counselor”, and “coach” – just to name a few hats we wear.

When COVID-19 caused us to be home and away from our classrooms for over a month, we had to adapt and roll with the punches once again. We have needed to come up with new ways to meet the needs of our students. While we may all have very different approaches, we are all trying our best.

Some of the most frustrating parts of teaching from home are related to internet issues. While our school is able to provide tablets or laptops to those who request them, the electronics don’t help those families without internet access. Some parents are completely overwhelmed and are unfamiliar and uncomfortable setting up equipment. While I have provided paper packets of review work for these families, it breaks my heart that those students are unable to continue to build on the knowledge they have worked so hard to achieve. The students that need the most help are the ones being left behind.

New Vocabulary – New World

In addition to internet issues, I was surprised to learn that I first needed to teach my students specific vocabulary related to the computer. Students have always seemed so tech-savvy related to programs they play at home or have learned in technology class. It took us a week just to learn terms like “scroll up/down”, “press the link”, “open/close a new tab”, “refresh your screen”, “share your screen”, “press mute”, and “chat box” just to name a few. Not only did students get a vocabulary lesson, but they also had to hone their skills in following directions.

Fortunately, most of my students were able to log on live with me once or twice daily in small groups for a reading lesson and math lesson. This schedule would not be possible if I did not have the help of my two SECAs (Special Education Assistants) and willingness of the parents to try to follow my lead as best as they can.

On Fridays, we have had a “Friday Free-for-All” where our whole class logs on and just talks to each other. They are so happy to see each other!  One Friday we had a birthday party for a student. All of the students surprised her with a card they had made for her, and we sang to her. I held a candle, she “blew it out” and then I blew it out on my end for her. See? Adapt and roll with the punches.

One of the best parts of teaching from home came from the opportunities I’ve had to get to know my students and their families on a more intimate level. I was able to get a glimpse into their homes and they have seen into mine. They have seen my crazy dog in action and the family I often talk about. I have seen their pets and extended families in their daily environment as well. For that, I am grateful.

We are all living through a crazy, scary time. Whether learning from home or in our classrooms, all we can do is be patient, adapt and continue to roll with the punches.  ~

Editor’s note: Rollins is a Board member of Illinois Hands & Voices.

H&V Communicator – Winter 2022