The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a dramatic shift in how we learn, both in and out of the classroom. Educators face this unprecedented challenge as schools nationwide struggle to adjust to virtual learning. Project P.E.A.L. B.A.K. (The Pandemic Exposed Accommodations Lacking in the Black American K-12 Public School Systems) is an initiative that seeks to understand better how educators are navigating this new era of learning. Through surveys with educators, the project has shed light on two distinct narratives of virtual education. This project comprehensively examines how virtual learning has impacted educators and students. Educator A Educator A is a consultant for several school districts nationwide and has been in education for the past 10 years. During the 2020-2021 school year, they worked as Special Education Teachers. Educator A noted that students with special needs had additional difficulty accessing materials, understanding the material, and staying engaged when virtual learning began. To help address these issues, Educator A provided resources to students and their parents, such as virtual tutoring, online resources, and virtual meetings with teachers and administrators. This enabled the students to get additional help and guidance from their teachers as they navigated through their virtual learning experience. Educator A also provided support to the parents by helping them better understand their child's individual educational needs and assisting them in finding resources to ensure their child's success. Educator B Educator B is an educator from Macon County (Georgia) who has been in the education system for 10 years. During the 2020-2021 school year, Educator B was a Special Education Teacher. According to Educator B, virtual learning posed challenges for students with accommodations. Many of these students needed help accessing the materials, understanding them, and staying engaged. Educator B also mentioned that there needed to be more communication between students, parents, and teachers, which made it difficult to ensure students were getting what they needed. In response to these issues, Educator B and their colleagues offered resources to students with accommodations and their parents. These resources included virtual tutoring, office hours, and support groups. These resources were designed to help students stay on track and support them to succeed in their studies. Final Thoughts Project P.E.A.L. B.A.K. has presented two compelling narratives on the impact of virtual learning during the pandemic. Educators A and B have provided a window into the challenges of teaching virtually and the opportunities that can be made available to students through this new learning mode. Despite the difficulties of remote teaching, both educators agree that they are committed to providing their students with the best possible education during these challenging times. The ultimate goal is to continue to provide students with the resources, support, and motivation necessary to become engaged and successful learners. Ultimately, we must remember that the true success of any educational endeavor lies in the dedication and hard work of our teachers and students, who will persevere even amidst adversity.
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