When the Covid-19 pandemic began last year, it didn’t take long for the AJC community (teachers and families alike) to agree in-person learning was in the best interest of our students. Afterall, our ‘community of affection’ is as much a part of our mission as is academic success.
In the Spring of 2020, when schools were cancelled state-wide, teachers held class virtually (making home visits twice a week to deliver homework and food when needed) and by July AJC had shifted to outdoor classrooms as our annual Summer Camp kicked off. Temperatures were taken, masks were worn, and fun was had by all.
By Fall we were ready to open for the school year in a similar manner—following CDC guidelines and allowing space for social distancing. To do so, boys and girls attended from home alternating weeks. With perseverance and flexibility, our teachers and students adjusted to our new hybrid learning approach.
Through the support of NAES we were able to offer teachers a professional development day focused on effective virtual lesson plans. Teachers learned the ins and outs of Google Classroom and tips on creating engaging video lessons. The full-day training was put to good use as students continued to attend school from home every other week.
In a year unlike any other—with the added anxiety of constant concern for health and safety—support from NAES meant more than ever. NAES helped AJC rise to the challenge and supported our teachers in their unwavering commitment to the well-being of our students. And our students, in turn, displayed their commitment to learning and incredible resilience.