In about three weeks my school starts back up again. I have been told that this upcoming year will be different Last year many school started completely remote and then eased into hybrid as the year progressed. I am assuming there will still be some type of social distancing and masking involved for this year, but it depends on many factors. The next school board meeting along with ISBE guidance will most likely lay the groundwork for what will happen during 21-22.
As I think about August I am tempted to plan out the school year as if it everything is heading back to normal. We are still in a pandemic and our schools should keep that in mind when planning. There are a lot of vocal opinions about masking, vaccines and social distancing that may impact what happens. Instruction last year shifted towards a mostly digital model and my hope is that we do not give up on using instructional components for the new year. Some students experienced success with that model, while others did not. Other students struggled with remote learning and could not wait to get back into the classroom. I would like to believe that schools can and should blend what worked with elearning with the benefits of being back in the classroom. It is not a simple transition and requires additional thinking, but something to consider for August.
Educational Aspirations 