Read

The Reality of Teaching in a Pandemic

Creator:
Published:
March 12, 2024
March 22, 2021
Watch what it's like teaching during COVID for Andrew, a social studies teacher at Providence Cristo Rey High School.

Andrew Jansen is a high school teacher with a passion for his job. He is also one of the many teachers who had to make big adjustments in this pandemic. Andrew had to stretch for new skills to continue teaching all of his students — especially those in economic need — whether they are learning in person or online.

"I'm always trying my best to give the kids the best product I can. Now, I mean, that's every year, right? You're trying to get better."

Video Transcript

Meet Andrew: high school teacher

(Andrew teaches to a classroom)

Andrew Jansen: Every day, we start the day with prayer. I say that as a prayer petition every single day, is that one, you just continue trying your best, and then once you kind of hit that limit, let God take care of the rest. My name is Andrew Jansen. I'm a social studies teacher here at Providence Cristo Rey. We're a hybrid model, so now I'm also teaching two students on Zoom at the same time as the kids in person.

Providence Cristo Ray High School serves students with economic need.

(Speaking to students via Zoom) What do you see in this picture?

Student: Horses.

Andrew: Horses. All right, so we see some horses. Very nice.

Interviewer: Is there a learning curve for you?

Andrew: Yeah, it was steep really quick. You wouldn't think how important internet speed is or how important it is to have a working microphone on your computer until it doesn't work. If you have a tech issue, now half of my kids can't come to school, so to say.

(Andrew speaks on the phone as he teaches)

Andrew often calls his students when they can’t connect virtually.

(Speaking to class) Remember, we're doing yesterday's notes.

I'm always trying my best to give the kids the best product I can. Now, I mean, that's every year, right? You're trying to get better. You're trying to learn new techniques, but I think it just presents more of a challenge because now those new techniques, if they fail or they fall flat, half the class isn't getting a full educational experience for that 15-minute activity. We are all, during this time, just trying our best and we are going to completely fail a lot of the time, and so again, it really is just continue trying your best. Let God take care of the rest.

(Speaking to class) What other continent are we starting to get into right there? One more continent. [inaudible]

Student: Europe.

Andrew: Europe! Very nice. Very nice.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 12, 2024
March 22, 2021
On a related note...
First Day of Spring Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

First Day of Spring Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Taking Kids with Special Needs Fishing for a Day

Taking Kids with Special Needs Fishing for a Day

Grotto

3 Festive Cocktails for Your Easter Celebration

3 Festive Cocktails for Your Easter Celebration

Ken Hallenius

Ted Lasso Taught Me 5 Career Lessons

Ted Lasso Taught Me 5 Career Lessons

Emily Mae Mentock

An Alternative Option to Toxic Productivity in the World of Academia

An Alternative Option to Toxic Productivity in the World of Academia

Lauren Fritz

Why This Ex-Wall Street Journal Reporter Left His Dream Job

Why This Ex-Wall Street Journal Reporter Left His Dream Job

Mike Jordan Laskey

"Blood Moon"

"Blood Moon"

Clare Rahner

Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit

Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit

Julia Hogan-Werner

I Got the Degree, but Not the Life That Was Promised With It

I Got the Degree, but Not the Life That Was Promised With It

Gabby Baniqued

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Molly Cruitt

3 Ways to Help Foster Kids — Without Becoming a Parent

3 Ways to Help Foster Kids — Without Becoming a Parent

Grace Wirth

From Unseen to Seen

From Unseen to Seen

Alli Bobzien

A reflective narrative by Alli Bobzien.

Thanksgiving Day Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Thanksgiving Day Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Can't Sleep? Stop Stressing, Start Praying

Can't Sleep? Stop Stressing, Start Praying

Alessandro DiSanto

Retreat Center Focuses on Volunteering in Community | Little Ways: Retreat

Retreat Center Focuses on Volunteering in Community | Little Ways: Retreat

Grotto

5 Things to Know Before You Start Freelancing

5 Things to Know Before You Start Freelancing

Lillian Fallon

5 Tips For Loving a Partner Who’s the Opposite of You

5 Tips For Loving a Partner Who’s the Opposite of You

Claire Collins

Artist’s Black Pietà a Call for Justice

Artist’s Black Pietà a Call for Justice

Grotto

What Made Coach John Thompson a Legend

What Made Coach John Thompson a Legend

Grotto Shares

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Ken Hallenius

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.