Ep 16 - At Home with Kids during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Educators Reflections', Encouragement & Advice with Pricilla Johnson and Sakinah Riley

Ep 16 - At Home with Kids during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Educators Reflections', Encouragement & Advice. This weekend, Nia Joy had the pleasure of speaking with Pricilla Johnson, M.Ed and Sakinah Riley, M.Ed about distance learning or e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents and caregivers are working from home or planning for the next days for their families while trying make sure their children can still maintain some levels of academic learning. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Riley give information about what teachers and administrators are expecting from parents and its not what you think. They give tips and details about helping your children with their work and let parents know how they are there to help support you. Ultimately, they send a message of encouragement so that parents know that they can give their child what they need and still help them learn concepts. This is a learning experience for teachers and administrators as well.

Ms. Johnson is an assistant principal at Sand Hill Elementary School in Dorchester District Two, SC. Ms Riley is an English Language Arts teacher at an Early College Program in Rowan County, SC.    

To watch this episode on YouTube, go to: https://youtu.be/L4d9n7xpUvs

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Transcript

spk_1:   0:04
Welcome to the Charleston Militate conviction. Podcast. Connecting and reconnecting you. All things troublesome. I am your host. Me? Enjoy your Golden Realtor License and status. Welcome to the Oh, hello, everyone. And welcome to the 16 episode of the Choppers Real Estate Connection pocket. Thank you so much for joining us on this special edition part heads, we are in some unique time. So therefore, I wanted to bring two. You need an amazing individuals. They are how they are actually educators. And I liked him to introduce themselves to you right now. Hey,

spk_2:   0:52
and I am an assistant principal. A Sand Hill elementary school.

spk_0:   1:01
Hello, everyone. My name is Sakina and I'm a heist. I'm a high school English teacher in North Carolina at Roland County Early college.

spk_1:   1:10
Thank you, ladies, for joining me. I am so excited to speak with you. I'm excited. You're all right. All right. So I want all of podcasts. We ask all of our guests. What is their connection to Charleston? So percent listen to introduce yourself first, we would love to hear What is your

spk_2:   1:32
connection to trust him? Well, I originally from Sumpter, South Carolina, and I attended Charleston Southern university starting in 2002. Graduated in 2006. My

spk_1:   1:46
mom and my dad said, Come back home, you'll get a job. And I was like, No, I'm good. There's nothing to do with

spk_2:   1:52
something. So I ended up staying in Charleston. I taught second grade for nine years, a TTE, the same school. And then I got promoted to instructional technology specialists. I became, like a teacher coach with integrating technology. Got my Edmund degree from the Citadel, and I was able to become an assistant principal a couple years ago. So, um, I just love Charleston and decided

spk_1:   2:20
that I was going to stay and I went going back home. Okay. Okay. Well, as all of my guests, once you've been here longer than your hometown, I just give you golden keys and just become a way of working on some. Some suffered it. So So welcome again and thank you. You know?

spk_0:   2:42
Yeah. Yes. And I am from downtown Charleston, Born and raised. Oh, and mostly the West Charleston, right? I went thio. I was going to m u S c. I went to all troughs and schools. I went to school on James Island um I went to college in North Carolina, and so that's where I started my educational experiences in the community. I'm actually I started in the 11th grade at Break High School, which is my alma mater. Graduated into the house. And, um, like many schools around the nation, there was a teacher cadet program. Um, and the one at birth High school was facilitated by our chorus teacher, Miss Vivian Jones, And we worked through the Citadel to get teacher cadet certification. And so I was able to teach my first, you know, classy room last in the students in the community and their the parade. Oh, wow. I've been in love. Yes. So I went to say no and robbing off. And it did. Yes, we're knee and I went to school together, and I graduated there. No. Four and I started teaching in September of the same here in eastern North Carolina. And then I moved, um, here to the Piedmont, and I've been teaching and Salisbury for about 15 years. Um, yes. So and so teaching and loving it. So hopefully I'll continue.

spk_1:   4:16
No, it's fine. Keep in existence. Saying hello. You just made toe 16th episode of Oh, yeah, you're welcome. That was That was a surprise. Get no, go ahead. Interruption thinking. No, that's

spk_0:   4:38
it. This is me. Me Here.

spk_1:   4:41
Yeah. This is this is this is this This is the time where people just kind of big, like you just never know what you're gonna get. All right? You both have to be back around. And I mean, that's what I love it. You were You're both on, you know, because I let your elementary education, Sakina, you're actually in high school. Early college education. So that is some really good perspectives I look forward to, you know, have a discussion with do today's topic. We're really just diving into your perspective as educators. And this thing called, I don't even know what What do we call this? What do we call this time where our parents are working with the kids? Like, I'm working with my town a packet and I don't know, working, giving them the lesson that you got to provide What we what we call it. It

spk_0:   5:35
sure is. So there there might be two turns that you hear. It's your school's distance learning and blended learning. So this is learning is that idea that you can learn outside of the classroom. And so a lot of your virtual classes are structure in a distance only, um, platform. And a lot of students in college benefit from distance learning as well. So the teacher struck stories. The class, you know, they determine what happened. Lesson plans, that content and even the pacing. And then it's just, um, student in parents. Liberty's too, um, to just kind of adhere to that lines and competency and things of that sort and then Linda learning. But it learned, because one of our catchphrases and education, I think Priscilla with not in on this one also. But is the opportunity where you students can learned through traditional measures, but also with independent of teachers? And it's using technology elegy. Being a huge part of the education of experience is absolutely what we're doing right now. What blamed it? Learning no, is. This incident is blended because a lot of, um, people are out of schools and it's still offering opportunities for payments that come pick up misery packet, you know, and since still have communication in a way that is close to normal the way we've been brought the school year, but blended with technology

spk_1:   7:14
that you with summarizes well, percent same same terms.

spk_2:   7:18
Yeah, definitely. I know that there's, um, not the district I'm in. But Berkeley County. Um, they've been doing the learning all year long. I remember I was at a conference one day, and I went to, um, big basically pick up some coffee, and the lady that owns the coffee shop was telling me that they grab it, He learning day. So it was like 1/2 day for us, and the kids were out of school in our district, but their district, it was still in the learning day. And so, with their once in one program where the kids have devices that they take home, they actually assignments that they were responsible for doing and submitting, um, different district's term in different things. But our district is using distance learning, but some are using key learning his will to

spk_1:   8:05
Okay, that's good to know, because I'm you know, I'm just I didn't know what to call it. I knew it wasn't the same as home schooling. I was aware that I put a post up today and asked people what they consider homeschooling her kids after days and most people would like me. But I always had an appreciation for teachers. Maybe because once it became friends, friends with one, I got to just kind of asked her questions, Got a nose and things. And you guys are just hard workers. And we certainly get you, Um, for what you do, if you don't hear that today. You heard that from this Sam Waksal. That's low. You. Thank you. Thank you. So I know they won't. You kind of have a perspective. And we kind of had some talk earlier about, you know, something that you have someone to share and maybe share with the parents and listeners alike. And I'm sure some of your teachers will be sharing. Well, what? Somebody think that you have to share? Um, but, um, Priscilla, I know you were mentioning you maybe had a perspective about helping people thio. Maybe just intimate. Somewheres occurred may as well as just kind of letting us know about what you do as an administrator as well as, um, me what it's like for parents who are students that require special education.

spk_2:   9:23
Sure, So this is several times we've heard the phrase on. We're building a plane and fly and get at the same time because this is definitely unprecedented for everyone. Um, we did not get a degree in education so that we could. I mean, the majority of us are not online teachers like we didn't We haven't done this before, so it's a brand new, and I think two of the words that are important to me right now are breathe. And in Greece, um, I think there needs to be a lot of exhaling going on in homes of parents and homes of theirs and a lot of the grace as far as what the level of expectation is. Um, you know, from a school where I have some kids who have Internet access and they can do everything online. And some kids who have zero, you know, in excess or parents are using a computer for work, and they're having to share the same device with kids to do their homework, their school work at home, and that is, you know, all consuming. I've heard from parents who have going out to Staples and Office Depot, and they bought devices for their kids because they feel my child is, you know, is gonna be left behind if they're not got with what other you know, kids have. And so one of the things we battle as administrators and teachers all the time is equal access. Anyway, make sure that there's equity across the board and I want, you know, parents to realize that we do not have high expectations. For what way expect you to be doing, dude. And out get your degree in education, you know, and we and and and what? Still struggling and we went to school is so I just want them to understand that we're not expecting them to produce what we would produce in 180 days inside of their home at there is not gonna happen. Okay. And one of the things that I think everybody has breathed a huge sigh of relief from its, especially Dr Lada, is that I'm Superintendent Spearmon apply for a waiver for, um, I'm not having to take state assessments at the end of this year. That Weaver was approved by, um but our approved federally It just made everybody just kind of like

spk_1:   12:09
Uh, well, what does that mean? That so what day

spk_2:   12:13
is in South Carolina? Student's grades three through eight. Take the South Carolina ready in the South, where a lot of past and they are, um um, state high stakes assessments that kids are expected to take in man L A writing science and social studies depending a great level you're in. And those whores are used thio Sometimes they used for placement and gifted and talented programs. Sometimes they're used for you know, whether a student needs to be in an intervention program, a number things. They also develop our state report card. Um, you know, a lot of you know, when you go online, you confined different rankings of schools as things are important. I know you're a realtor. Those kinds of things are important to crying beer, their child to go to school. So I think we all breathe a sigh of relief because for teachers we've been teaching since August. Bud, it is now April. And at this point, this will be like crunch time in the classroom, like we would be like drilling, going over, introducing content that we haven't had a chance to, and where I having that opportunity that right now. So they have that pressure on us that if we cut back in May or whenever we come back, that they're gonna have to take that high stakes assessment. It was unsurmountable pressure, and when we got that noticed that we weren't gonna have to do it. Everybody relief. And so I want parents to breathe. Too good, huh? There is no level of expectation for what they need to be teaching where supply for you. And we're doing the best weekend with this, so just breathe.

spk_1:   14:00
Uh, yeah. I mean, yes, important. I

spk_2:   14:12
mean, I see parents posted on Facebook, and I know they are super stressed. Unlike

spk_1:   14:17
they sent home this pickle pack of the working How am I gonna do all of this? And I'm still working a full time drive from home.

spk_2:   14:23
And, you know, one of my one of my parents actually taught with me and she's got out of the classroom and started doing virtual teaching. And she said in a virtual classroom, really, the maximum amount of time that you are face to face with the teacher or doing instructions about 2 to 3 hours Max and so four apparent to feel like they have teach from 6 52 to 15. Like a normal school day is not a normal expected,

spk_1:   14:53
ma'am. What a sigh of relief. Because I have a friend of mine. She's a veterinarian. And she posted that something about that. She's like, Look, so everybody knows. Everybody knows, like I still have to work and I don't know how I'm gonna juggle this, and and you really hit a lot of those points. They this you mentioned. And I know you have another point that you were gonna make about promised, especially family. That's not education family. I want to pause right quick and kind of just because you were talking about that here to it Bikini is going through. I mean, I'm assuming it's a lot similarly within your different state, you know, different occasions system.

spk_0:   15:34
Absolutely. That was the excellence Segway. And I'm glad you take me and I'm like, yes to everything that Grandma was so laid out. It was we're in different Carolina's lead to have, um, been approved to waive standardized test, so entered, a says are often referred to also has high stakes big plans. And and that print that wording alone, I think, is one reason why we need to take Priscilla's advice and just breathe, you know, because the stakes are not as high in terms of percentages and numbers that come out at the end of the year. We're all going through a pandemic that's affecting not just the health aspects of their lives in terms of physical health, um, but our psyche, you know, and for their faith in a lot of weight. And, um, where we are worried about those logistics, it is a good time to to celebrate the fact that we don't have to worry about those logistics. So again, in North Carolina, we will not be taking, um, we have was called eel seas, and the oceans will also have N c F E. So in the core is integrated. North Carolina found in science. We won't take any of those this year. Um, we also have in South Carolina may have decided to do this as well. For any graduating seniors, it's now a pass fail as opposed to a numeric grade. So if you are a graduating senior, you're on track to graduate. If you were passing by March 14th. If I'm not mistaken, then you passed the course. You receive a P? Oh, yeah, that. Yeah. So that does. Playing to maybe what? Your gp. It could have been had you going through the last quarter and improved on that grade. But it it's not It's, um it won't go lower. So what we what you earn at the time of our emergency home? A response to our health scenario is what you learn. So not taking anything way right there. They're always what, iss, of course, but at least this is in a position where we are on line, right, and we're still rolling out those packets, and your parents are trying to understand how to navigate working and monitoring man, you know, your students trying to do the same thing, and and and you're worried as well. And so you cannot respond and do work in a way that you would have if you were in a more familiar environment. So I mean, with what we have, I think it's fair, and I think it's it's something that'll help even the playing field a little bit home, which is which is what I want to talk about. Maybe as ah, primary point is that we have the flexibility now is parents, um, to decide how the classroom we'll look at how to operate. I am a pan of three. I love my little babies. I have enjoyed being at home with them like they are funny and sarcastic and mean and nice and complimentary. All in one. Right? Do this before. But it was something different about being there, instructor, like, right here. And kind of It's It's, um it's amazing. How do you turn off the I'm You're kidding. You're my mom. Action in it. Really lifelike, Miss Mom, I'm done with that. What you want me to do now? You know, and they don't, but they don't do that. Any others I like when they come home from school, they just got I did my homework and get in the game. Okay? You know, they aren't active, purchased defense and time management and work management. So I'm just kind of going back to my bringing in Charleston and kind of what? Let me in The education I share with me and Priscilla earlier. I always knew I wanted to teach. I love teaching and I say this all the time. Teachers saved my life. I love them from MME Imager Elementary, Two Rivers, Middle Toe Bird High School. I always had a person that which is for me, and it was, um yeah, and it's so many things that I needed to hear right. And they love me. They love me hard. They love me like I came from him, right? So guess what? We can love our kids like they came from us right now, like right. We had that opportunity and we can we can pull back where we need. So we compression little bit more than you do. Like this is the time where you can offer your kid devis bit best, very education. Sorry. The best education they have ever had said It's We don't know what to expect because we are still kind of going through the motions and figure out what works best for a school system. So imagine at the school system is trying to figure out what works best for its while hundreds of thousands of classrooms in each of your homes are happening, and they, too, were trying to figure out what's best for their school right where they live and they are teaching, right? And so we're pretty sure the preparation right now is like creating lesson plans for however many students you have like, I have about 60. So I have lesson plans for the 60 substitutes, and I'm trying to give these lesson plans out to a substitute and hoping that they can follow it, hoping that is clear enough, hoping that I've given the substitute all they need toe actually roll out the lesson or assist that student with a particular lesson. And so there, you know, there comes a level of worry for us that we're not checking all the boxes, you know, and we want to make sure his educators were given these babies all they need. So what's happening right now for me, as a teacher, educator and a home school educator, I'm having to forgive myself. Prime happen to celebrate myself. I'm having to relax and take time with myself because I can do what I can do. And so even if if a virtual teacher is going to 23 hours with the students, I don't want to invite the pressure of going eight hours with my students. Great. Look what you could be doing. You know, it can be like, um, with the kindergarten. I have kidney guard in sixth grade and 10th grade in 1/10 grader is in my class. Normally, she's in my creative writing class. Oh, I know she loves it. And I know her favorite teacher. I know. Yes, it's silly. I know, right? But I think she must be more at home because I'm like, just do your work and check in and let me know later, whereas in the classroom, I'm a little bit more, you know, I'm a little mommy is in the client, so she liked my Come on, my like, I'm just checking. But, you know, a few weeks ago, we're doing reading time with the kindergartner and with everything time in my bedroom, my pajamas. Okay. I had a laptop on the side and I was going to students over there, but I was reading to him and he just nestled under my neck so sweet, right? And my best teacher I ever had in my wife.

spk_1:   22:57
Oh, wow. Oh, listen for somebody in Kenya, Kenya to kind of get that for my kids? Because, I don't know, but I got the best teacher I harbor.

spk_0:   23:09
No. Do what? No goji. Meet him halfway. If they want to read on trampoline, let him go. Read on the trampoline. They read her in the 10th grader, you know, wants to Netflix and chill. Let her Netflix and chill. Because when you look at her English assignments, there will be something about being there. Be something about a symbol. Just say, hey, 10 greater. Um, I know we don't do school work. It's a lot. I don't really I don't really remember things. Tell me with theme is okay, well, what's the thing that you notice In All American, All American is popping right now on Twitter when everyone's fine. Yeah, right Number once and got to catch me up with the plot. Oh, let's let's continue skill development. True. So that s education To offer a kid is personal as education. Priscilla talked about, you know, not wanting to create gaps that exists right now and make them even more abroad than they were before. By allowing equity and really intentionally setting up a system that appeals to every king we know that's a lot to go. Well, the simple things that teachers and nature's air time is come in. You know, releasing those biases come in, willing to be flexible. And as the parent, we can allow us those idiots. We we didn't just give ourselves permission to say this kid has been in these class all year. No, you know what needed? You know he's going to do just well. What would you do, right? Put your little fish on the back of your car? Put what would you do? Whatever you could do that

spk_1:   24:48
when I saw my sit this wooden template,

spk_0:   24:51
you know, blend it with which your kid, How you kid learns the best and what you can handle is a child. The child is learning. They're still learning. We already talked about High State says have been removed as a pass fail. I am not clairvoyant and I don't want to, you know, say anything logistically might not happen. But I do see our patient going to the point where we're like listening. Just make sure those babies they're still actively working, and we won't worry so much about whether it's a 69 79 1 of learning is still taking place, but

spk_1:   25:28
that means a lot. That means a lot. I mean, I mean, from the perspective of a teacher and you know, some some really good tips and tools and whatnot. And there's something I wanted to ask you about following up to what you just said about the tips into little then and now whole thing. And I know, and then you mention it. You're from trusted. But I didn't even get a chance of you. Even. Really excellent job. Give us undervalue when everything Thank you. No, no, a little bit About where you want to keep me away from. I don't even mention, um good to hear about someone where you're from and aim, um maybe why he became a teacher. I know it's a king. You mention your decided become a teacher. Uhm, where birth Yeah, you had afternoon is that you were left great to become a teacher, but and that's awful mess. Actually rare is hiding in your colony early. That's it's a blessing to know that you want to teach, but I'm curious to know percent like you decided that I wanna be an education. I mean, tickets a ce faras the master's level. I I had

spk_2:   26:34
1/5 grade teacher named Kyle Shoe Gert. We just became Facebook friends other day, huh? E was incredible. And there were two things I remember about her. Number one. She made learning fun. I mean, just clean and simple. I remember the trade fear and the trade fair was he was teaching us about bartering and trading, and we had to bring in something that we were willing to barter and trade. So I know everybody love brownies. So I was like, Listen, I'm about to wreck up, so I

spk_1:   27:06
mean, I just write about being a teacher is like, you know, that's not like another career path as well, But I will come back. It was teaching us about the pretty thick and how

spk_2:   27:23
they had to be, you know, very strategic with how they wait with a barter. It's very different things. She doesn't made it really relevant and really foreign. In other thing was she was personal, like she got to know us. Um, when our level and I didn't feel judged when I was in her burrow. Um you know, when you get to lie. Fifth grade. You're already going through the emotions of puberty and not knowing whether you're good enough for what you measure up with you. Part of the cool crowd and I never felt like she judged me or made me feel like I was a cool kid. So she was awesome. And then I had another teacher who used to This is crazy. She used to wear bangle bracelets when she would write on the overhead projector with her views of our little Bangles used to being together.

spk_1:   28:12
So I was like, When I grow up to be a teacher, I was awarded My Bangles are going to, but it's like a person now, like a cingulate to you, like this just resonated with you. You know what's funny? Your number. But you describe them like i e. She was wonderful. So, you know, that was part of the reason. But I've always

spk_2:   28:39
loved kids, so start from being a kid all the way to, um, you know, going growing up, going to college, I did teacher cadets as well. Um,

spk_1:   28:49
I think I know what's really driving example to that program. Kudos to teach,

spk_2:   28:56
but this was wonderful for me. And what's the cool that was? They placed me in the fifth grade teacher's classroom to be a teacher today, so I got to go back to my favorite teacher's classroom. We teach in front of her, which I thought was super cool E. But I mean, I always wanted Thio do something with keys and teaching just came naturally

spk_1:   29:20
and my mama

spk_2:   29:20
tried to talk me out of it like hardcore. She was like, um girl. She was like, You don't want to be a doctor. And I was like, Nope, I don't like blending that, And she was like, Well, you don't want to be a lawyer. You got a mouth of the South. I mean, we could anybody, and I was like, No, I don't want to be done. Keep people out of jail on when they do it. It's so she was like, Well,

spk_1:   29:42
personally, I'm just going to tell you teachers don't make no money. If that's what you're gonna

spk_2:   29:47
go into, you really have to live it for what it is that

spk_1:   29:49
you make. Thank God having making on that decision. I mean, you know,

spk_2:   29:56
it wasn't not about money and I mean, I hope everybody knows at this point

spk_1:   30:00
he just don't make

spk_2:   30:01
anything like they don't make anything worse. And I think at this point in our country, I don't think there will be a deeper appreciation for is then there is right now No, one of my teacher friends, the district. We were working on a project for grad school, and he said one of his parents reached out to him and said, Man, this is a lot of homework. You're listened in and he was like, But that's just it. Like it's not homework like, Well, we sent home work home like his homework is maybe like our work work. This is what we do all day long. Like things 52 to 15. This is a day, and so I think parents are realizing now it's not a baby sitting service. It's like we're just keeping kids all day long and keeping them out of your hair like we are hard core drilling and teaching and loving your kids and nurturing them. And so that's what I got into it for And now my love for kids has grown, too. I know what my classroom was like, and I wantto other educators create that same love and joy and safe space in their classroom. So, um, I'm still teaching kids. I'm still around. I'm still reading to my kids every Sunday night Right now is from a different perspective to prepare teachers for how to be better teachers.

spk_1:   31:23
What are often I have, like, a really impressed by, like I mean, but the stuff that you guys broke said I mean, uh, that is this a lot. And I really hope this resonates with parents. Some of the stuff that you guys, you know, touched on, um, what do you say? Appearance. They think geologist home chillin, you know? What do you say about that? They have these little packets that they put the hand. They're probably in, like, a few hours. You know, into what? What do you have to say? Uh, from both perspectives about I know it's not true after talking to you, but I want to let everybody know it was like for you. Yeah, I was

spk_2:   32:02
my Okay, well, I will say that my, um, one of my men district said it so perfectly. He said on Sunday evening, we got a call that we were going to that the governor was gonna be on TV talking to us. About what? We were gonna be a school night. And from that four o'clock phone conference on the weed do the Tuesday after that conference, teachers, like, went into work mode, like preparing, trying to figure out what we're gonna do, how we're gonna provide instruction like it was a crazy.

spk_1:   32:38
It was like it was ordering. It was likely ordered an organized and you can't have a set. You know what I need to do?

spk_2:   32:44
Exactly. And I mean, for those two those 1st 2 days, it was nuts. Like, teachers were really trying to like work to get to the pool together, stuff for quality stuff, for it for, um, kids to be doing at home, not just like work or just like all right, you knows worksheets to keep them busy like this. Help them still get instruction, but get it from home without being in the classroom. The other thing is, um, I had teachers are there feeling a different kind of strength, and they've ever felt before, and I know personally, I have a couple teachers who take their job like it. They take it home with them. I know all of us do, but won t. I mean the other day and she was in tears like emotional, And at first I thought she was emotional because she was stressed. She's also teach. She gets to four year old twin girls at home. Her stress Canton because she is getting ready to finish up, meet with me next week, virtually for her end of the year, um, student objective evaluation. They have to compare the data that they got at the beginning of the year, from the students to the data that they would have gotten last week when we were out of school, shooting opportunity to get their data. And so she is a very data driven teacher, and at this point she feels like she is not enough, like she is not doing enough kindness to show that there has been growth from the beginning of the year until now. And you know, just the fact that she was crying and so emotional about the fact that she feels like she has to let her kids down because she's front of them every day. Um, I just want parents to know that these teachers are like driving themselves crazy, trying to figure out how they can still be to a child. What they would be if they were in the classroom with them right out. They

spk_1:   34:42
don't know how that they don't know how to do

spk_2:   34:43
this. This is not traditional, and it's not something that you can plan for it. I mean, I know from South Carolina we're out all the time for a dog on hurricane or, you know, on this icy, you know, on the road we can't go to school. Those are not like traditional times like we're out. There's no really like it instruction happening. But right now we're expected to teach all day and not be in front of a child is crazy. And so these teachers are loving your kids. They're missing your kids. They are emotional. They're doing dog on drive by parades in the

spk_1:   35:19
neighborhood. I've seen it. I'm not making you do something, someone that to own baseball it like do that. And I know Priscilla, you reuse. So really was reading to the kids. Go plug that in there. You know the show notes, so people can still do that hopefully and enjoy. You know, his parents love

spk_0:   35:40
it. Okay, up that connection. So winning, if there are people that are maybe not advocates of education and public education is especially one thing. They they might need to notice that the large percent of percentage of us are doing a really hard time with social distancing. And because our students come from such diverse backgrounds not just social, economic for racial, but also family dynamic and how love is communicated in the home. We try to create the kind of love that we think is fair, and it is necessary for all our kids. So immediately Were they in, this kid's not gonna get the love, I don't know, prove that learning opportunity that that we're used to and we're not. We're not doubting parents. We just know it's up on a high school level, content that you might read in to Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby or um, or any novel that you were probably reading before you left. There needs to be an experience that happens in the classroom when, as an English teacher, just cause I'm a nerd. But like we start books, I have passed the book out. Tell everyone Look at the cover. I'm like, What images do you see that someone pick up the book and Mel of the book might be one with the pages and connect with all the students that were there before, and I turn ready and you know, the kids are like, but then you catch it May look at you crazy nego You're

spk_1:   37:12
right. And I'm I guess this is our

spk_0:   37:14
But we've got to be one with these characters. You cannot do that online, You have your book and I

spk_1:   37:21
know for people it's

spk_0:   37:23
more e books. And speaking of e, you know e learning Elektronik Internet Right now, I'm sure a lot that my kids were sparked looking like a mode, and that's fine. That's fine. That's what you have. Well, we But we have, um, we have meetings and canvas, which is our online classroom platform. A lot of students or schools might be using black for it still, but we have a meeting once a week, and when we love on in for the first minister, so I'm just like, what's that you're still being sarcastic, blowing in those 45 times in 30 minutes and interesting. The quiet like Stella troops who's still in the bed Who owned this land on that Here

spk_1:   38:06
are better off.

spk_0:   38:07
And they're all in the chat box, like, right, Look. And I'll tell you, I'm going to be about that is done. I might. That's fine. I'm glad you're here. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you. I don't know, but we'll be absolutely just, um just so that, you know, like, Okay, so is 60 minute cores. I planned belt a bell saying we don't really have bills, but I do go bell to bell, so I'm gonna fight me warmer. And then we discuss and kind of decompress. And then we go into the bulk of the instruction where I am lecturing the bit on what topic is. And then there is I do you do right? And then let's show each other that we understand that is a debriefing. And then there is a man exits a of a sort. We are. You pledged telling me I got it, I had it. And then we go and and we do it in the next day. and throughout the week. The hope is that we're building on the concepts that I introduced or Monday or last unit or whatever, and it's progressive throughout. What teachers air facing is this, um, beautifully complex problem where we have to be even more creative than we were before. So when I say every day you're going way

spk_1:   39:23
mention I understand you correctly. So what you're saying is you typically plan for a 60 minute course, just kind of So it was saying you guys were still you're still planning like, No, we're playing. But you you're trying to fit that into that one day. Um, you're trying trying to take what you normally would do and translated for parent and a online. Exactly. And you weren't initially planning for that.

spk_0:   39:50
So what that means is it doesn't work. OK, so for anyone that might be, um, anyone. It might be a little garden, you know about the attacks dollars still paying teachers because the teachers are doing what they expect him to do. Please understand the teachers that taking on a complete new role now and when I was an under dread and I learned to each with his five point lesson in Applied that for 15 years did well with it. Um, I got my Masters in English education on national board, certified like I have gone after every opportunity I can learn more about not just my content but my delivery. Well, none of those levels and none of those ways for education ever said. So Here's the last unit of Endemic it's and here's how you deal with that. It's not there, Right? So we think Now we have to scratch almost everything. Go back to the drawing board and saying, What can this kid do that will still offer them a a valuable learning opportunity? And for a lot of classes, that means I need to give you all the content that we weren't gonna cover. But, um, and, you know, completely honest, there are a lot of teachers that may not be thinking the same way. It's personal, and I, um, and they might be saying, Well, this is life. Pandemics happen. You need to roll with it because at the end of this week, you better have that packet turned. Yes, because here we're rating, you know, and it may not be as forgiving and that that's not me. Um, if it maybe could have been me if I had a different mindset. One thing that I realized in grad school is it while I love my teachers and my education, a lot of what we were taught in the structure and how we talked with very punitive. Like if you don't do this, you get a zero. If you don't sit right, I'm writing you up. If you don't answer this question and this time you know, on the standards that you ain't going to college where I should be more, it should be more fluent. It's experience where you're falling forward and trying to figure out what you learned from that experience and where you're communicating. And the teacher admits, Look, that was a dumb that, and I'm not doing that again.

spk_1:   42:02
All right, you have to. Some take on the fact that everybody has learned the same way

spk_0:   42:08
and and and and a unique thing that we're facing right now. Everyone's not learning at the same hour. So even as we're on this podcast, I am answering my kids and Luke at because for my scoop messages or high school so a lot of them are teaching their middle school and elementary school siblings. Ah, lot of them are at work. Some of them are sleep somewhere in getting up in So 8 p.m. You know, when they message me, Tonto. Mr. Ali, what you mean about this part and in their minds? Because they're adolescents? No, they don't understand that. They just said what should be a professional course on this 10 o'clock at night. So at the beginning of this cause this were what, three weeks in at the beginning of this hour Respond. It's cool, you guys. But last week I said, Hey, listen, please don't get up and stressed about something. Sam P. M. At night, right? Want to continue? This is professional. Make sure you address me with a salutation. Make sure you reference what it is that you're referring to. And their state your question. If not, send me email and I'll get to it another day because I'm not thinking about I'm not thinking about these things right now, and I don't think you should. I want you to find a space and a time to decompress because you're really not going to produce your best work at 10 o'clock at night, and the deadline is at midnight, and I and I and I ended with Just turn it in to me tomorrow because I don't want you rushing to get in at 11 59 just to do it. That's not what we're doing, not what I'm doing. Let's really think about how this could be different. So it's no awareness I would like we can imagine correspond more. And now yeah than I ever have. We have constant faculty meeting things, E news, um, chat reminders. So yeah, all of its multi layered. And we're doing more now than we've done before, but with the same passion, the same house, the same passion that was making us feel like we have to do it. But if there are any educators and parents listening, you do wanna still got a good education. But not to the point where your stresses you out.

spk_1:   44:15
Oh, no, for sure. And that's why I want Oh, perfect. Lead up to the fact that we're gonna put in the show notes that you're part of a panel that's coming up. It's It's a part of Mom different. Um, parts of yes education system is that sometimes and and teachers,

spk_0:   44:30
right? Yeah. There will be a panel of educators next week. Thursday, we were rollout of zoom. Um, Link, uh, with that information, I have it to you before you published, but we've got three different content. Area teachers got its counselor, administrator, high school, middle school and elementary. And we're gonna provide open space to discuss kind of how things are going right now. It's a safe on his resourceful lt's, um, opportunity for you to just kind of talk about what it's like now home schooling. And we're thinking of the title being So you home schooling, huh? No. So, you know, just for things that come with that it just really want to drown the measure. Message home that we need to be here for each other parent, teacher, student, the line and just trying to do I'm s You know, whatever we have,

spk_1:   45:25
we don't appreciate it. And I know we'll put that in the show. No time before maybe even tuning into common, see what that's like. And that's something that would be recorded. You guys recorded right to share it. Okay, cool, and I'm definitely not in the show notes. I wanted to go back in what percent? Because I'm really This is really some like, in depth perspective about you guys. I mean, this could go on like three hours Is my Priscilla like I know you were. There was one thing. There's a couple more things I want to talk to you about to, um, to kind of overlapped. What was executed was any, like, she's coming from a teacher's perspective. Mother, you know, she's homeschooled her kids. And then here you are a good administrator. Like what exactly are you know? I mean, I know you're super busy and doing the same type of work that you were doing it if your kids were there, um, being that you're an administrator, my first question is, you know, what is that look like for you and number two? Um, can you talk a little bit about the parents whom who actually have special, um, have students prospect of education needs?

spk_2:   46:31
Yeah. So a zone administrator were definitely, like in constant communication with district office personnel who was in contact with the State Department all day long, trying to navigate how that works. One of the things that administrators do a lot of is in classroom observations. And so if we weren't in school right now, we would the in classrooms, you know, assistant teachers providing, you know, feedback to teachers about their instruction and were unable to do that right now because

spk_1:   47:04
we ain't in a classroom.

spk_2:   47:06
One of the things that comes up at this point in the year is end of the year evaluations where we would be meeting with, um, teachers who had developed a student learning objective at the beginning of the year. Yeah, how they were going to show that they, their kids, admit, um ah, growth target. And so, at this point, next week, my week is gonna be consumed with meetings all day long. I'm gonna be in meetings with teachers talking about what their instruction has looked like. Hope, of course of the year where their kids started and whether they have met growth targets. The scary thing for teachers right now is I don't know that I have all the data I need because the last possible second give them though that last bit of room they needed to grow on a lot of time with teachers this week, Um, helping them decompress and just kind of die aggress from I know you needed that data, but I need you to provide validation for me and other ways that you have seen growth other than numbers. So those are gonna be some important conversations I have this week. And just really supporting teachers is has been my role. Um, one of the other things that, um I do is, um, what we call an Ellie a, um, in special education i e p needing. So your parents that are listening that have Children with special needs and they have been receiving service is all here. We'll get that point in the year where we have, um, we're still having, like, annual reviews. Or we review a student's educational plan. Ah, our kids who are in fifth grade and they're transitioning into middle school. Or kids who work in a special needs early education class like a a P D class, or those kinds of things were deciding what is the next best program for the child. And so those air called transition meetings and usually we would be having those meetings face to face at a table with every person who's a part of that team, including the school psychologist, the child's general education teachers, the parents. They have a parent advocate. That person is there. And if they receive occupational therapy, service is for physical therapy. Service is those people are there to be able to on behalf of that child's progress.

spk_1:   49:36
Mom, Sorry I wasn't sq. Is that like a Typically, This is a typical meeting you're describing, right? I mean, what is this? Is this is this, like right now? Are you, like, on on a conference call right now? Doing that?

spk_2:   49:48
Yeah, all about. Our meetings now are definitely virtual on. And that was one thing that we we're waiting for for a state of guidance was how does that work? Because these air legally binding documents that are developed to meet a child's needs if they have some kind of learning impairment or learning disability. Um,

spk_1:   50:08
so how was never like this? How how are we you guys measuring This is it. Is it being no to being taken or during this column was a recording.

spk_2:   50:20
So, teachers, typically when we're sitting at the table a CZ the Ellie A for the meeting on the person who kind of represents the district and speaks on behalf of the district in those meetings. So I'm kind of taking notes as the meeting goes, and, um, the case manager of the child's teachers. We call it the case manager. They are making their informing the parent about the child's progress throughout the course of when the I P was initiated into this point in the year. So is usually about a year's worth of progress. And at that point, every person that touches that child is able to report work, what their progress or what the regression has been. And so the State Department recently gave us got us that they wanted us to continue with those meetings because we're talking about a challenge. Success based on one, Um, based on what a special need is and bringing up that word excess and equity. We've never won a child to be in a please just because they have a disability that they don't get what they need. And so, um, one of the things

spk_1:   51:30
you say I'm sorry. Speaking of kids, not getting what they need, they need both for sake, Alana. And our killer I've been hearing about on the news that you school, they're still providing things like lunches. And some other resource is that they need this. This is something that made Venable schools correct.

spk_2:   51:50
So our district has 5 to 6 locations in the district that are kind of evenly spaced out based on attendance areas where appearance can take their kids and go get food for lunch during the

spk_0:   52:06
day. You're looking at it, and I are great. Um, yeah, I'm in North Carolina. Just get some contacts. I'm about 40 minutes from Charlotte, which is when our largest districts and they're, um you can see on the news where they're still providing Resource is for students in my county in particular, which is Roan County. The buses run a regular route. So if a student has a bus rider, then they come to the bus stop. Um, at a agreed upon time, those students just get bags and each bag has the breakfast and lunch. And and it does not matter if that student pay for lunch before phone. We were really is from school or not. You just You coming if you If you are really in county student, you are eligible to receive that lunch. So there there are also students who are car riders would not be on the bus route and they are allowed to go to the school and just go through a drive thru line. And there are central workers that come out and pass the food, you know, to the car. Now we just Well, it will be a spray will be spring break next week. So when we come back we will also condense the locations where pickup occurs for our writers. But the buses was still come around hopefully and then just kind of going back to the needs of the students when we have our I p meetings or R a i g n i g meeting. So, except for education in any category, uhm right now with a lot of parents will need to look for and understand is that maybe these documents will be e mailed to your personal account and then you have to download and sign the document. Then you send it back. So the person who is running the meeting and then they go through what they asked up and they sign. And then, isn't it that you? So you still want to keep up with that? Um, that electronic correspondence that's gonna be at a table? We would just slide the papers back and forward because many a meeting and my sixth grader right before there's just tested a i. G s. So for him to officially be in the program, we had our conference last week. We were at home in the game room, you know, needing soon talk about what his service is were.

spk_1:   54:24
So when you say that you're taking years, which is you want the teacher online

spk_2:   54:33
it is. And so one of the things I want to tell parents is I'm not sure if it's like this for your district's keeping a but, um, we have to have virtual concert. We have to have parental consent to have a virtual meeting, and so let that is the case manager will reach out to the child's parents and say, Hey, you know, due to the circumstances, we are still scheduled to have your childs I p meeting. But it's totally up to you whether you would like to have it virtually or whether you would like to wait until we resume school toe, have that meeting. And if a parent says, you know what, I would rather have that meeting face to face. It's totally okay and there's no pressure are we'll just reschedule it for what? We come back. And if we don't come back during this school here, then we will schedule it for the beginning of the next school year. And so I want parents to understand that they have that right. Um, but there are a lot of, um, safeguards in place if we do have a virtual meeting, Um, we have very specific guidelines that have been given to us by the State Department. Are is what can happen during the meeting. All of the team members that serve that child have to be at that meeting. We do a roll call at the beginning of that meeting so that you could hear everyone's voice and know that they're there. No, each person that is a part of that I t. T speaks to the progress that the child has made during the year on whether they have asked her goals or whether there are new goals that need to be developed. They articulate those, Um, and the parent is asked several times during that meeting. Are you clear the owners and what is your feedback? Um, yeah, things that my team has done at my school is I've had them on. We have some parental questions that are part of the I P, where they provide specific input as faras what they feel like their child's strengths and needs our lives. What kind of assistance? What they like to see. Does the child enjoy school? What is their attitude towards their learning program? And so instead of just asking those questions in the meeting be send those to the parents, I had a time draft of the new I P that we're proposing and kind of have before we get on that Hong Kong. They can kind of be in the right headspace as to what's gonna be discussed during that meeting, because what we don't want to happen is that we, you know, bom bom appearance with, you know, this kind of information, and they had no clue about it from the beginning. We want to make sure that parents are very aware of their child's needs with the press what their progress is like. And, um, you know, I feel like the last three that I've had virtually I was a little nervous about him because, you know, there's nothing like being face to face with a parent and seeing the expressions on their face because body language is everything. You know it. The weather here is comfortable about what you're proposing or whether they're not comfortable with it. And a lot of times I'll say, I'll start the meeting and I'll be like, Hold up, young Mom, you're good with your question, but you got going on.

spk_1:   57:40
Is that what you extend his thinking?

spk_0:   57:44
County. I think a lot of people that are the positions, you know, running meet with these same things. So there's been that say that there's a blend of this is what the state mandates, and please make sure that our students and their parents experience this particular protocol. And it was also just that humanness that we talked about before them that I have in my experience, educators that I've worked with that I know Well, we we live off of that like it is, um like that six cents you need in a in A in a room and in the space to really feel out with that child needs. And a lot of what Priscilla was talking about is the it echoes what I'm employing students and their parents. To do right now is take advantage of flexibility and the freedom that you have for your child and what you're experiencing right now during this distance, learning or learning if you can opt toe, wait, tohave that conference because you're more comfortable. Wait, You know, it does not get out now and knock it out now. But there really is a lower pressure to meet a deadline or do a certain A a specific way because we're all in it in a space where we don't exactly know what what happened on a broader scale. But we absolutely have control of what we're gonna have happen in our homes, you know, and And during that particular learning, um, breakout session, Yes, only you, You know, like, let's let's grab that opportunity by the horns and say It's only maybe 40 more days like we got this.

spk_1:   59:21
We got 40

spk_0:   59:21
days. No, was our girl way way, way issue it's on. It is is your time to feel more comfortable about how you navigate was gonna happen for your kids and do so with supporters with those supporting you. And I know you mentioned earlier there's a difference in home schooling and what we're doing with learning or e learning. We still are very much so. The home base, like we support you. We rock that you'll be right with you. We are here for you, for you help. You have it. You don't have to feel like you're, um you know, like you're in this alone. Like we wait, what we signed on to do.

spk_1:   1:0:05
Sure. I know soldiers feel about the nurses and the doctors and teachers don't like, Yeah, listen, I mean, I'm really happy that you guys would be a safe. That's possible because your home and and you don't have to be is engaging with our students because Lord knows hollering event without colds and lose and all kind of gross sickness is because our kids are like carpet ward. And I

spk_0:   1:0:31
was gonna joke with Brazil earlier when she said she didn't want to be a doctor because there's blood and guts. I'm like I had a lot of that existence is like, I don't want to be a lawyer and deal with the legal part

spk_1:   1:0:44
todo doctors, lawyers and yes, right. This is a

spk_0:   1:0:50
happy medium known like we could be surgical and critical and, you know, clergy is on and won and I have to really take it awful. It's a but

spk_1:   1:1:02
I'm an open. You met my kids before you met me. So you were like, I mean, you just you just gotta do what you do with a lot. Yeah, I'll deal a lot. You know, teachers, administrators. I mean, on the front lines, you're always on the front line. I really hope that this is, um like you were saying, Hope's as a starting point for the talk that we can have to say, Look, if we and this is my personal opinion, because I am I served, I mean, it just would be so nice if you guys were just elevated to that point. You know, just with how you guys are paid and taking care of just because you guys do so much and it's it requires a lot, and we thank you I know you've got a really good inspirational message on end, Sakina. And I'm happy that you did that once you make that sound bite on the pistol. I would like it here. Like you know what, Do you want to leave the audience with this? Well, like, you know, um, from your perspective, you know, there's something you can leave with the parents. Yeah,

spk_2:   1:2:01
um, I think this is a time where we all have to, like, lean on each other. Like I just want to encourage parents to lean in on their teachers. Um, you know, our district asked us tohave, um, automatic reply on our email that indicated what our office hours would be. Um, so I think ours say, like from chance 11 we respond to emails and from, like, 12 to 30 or something like that. I just want them to know like that is what the email says thes teachers are up in front of their computers at, like, eight o'clock in the morning. All the way to go. I mean, I know I got some responses from some teachers at six o'clock last night. I just want them to know that you do not have to take this on line. You did not have to carry this burden alone. We know that you are at home because you can't work. We know someone got laid off from your jobs. We know that some of you are sharing one digital device at your home. We know that some of your kids may be responding to teachers on a cell phone because that's the only device you got at the house and we get it in. The expectation is not that you submit something that we would have Thio, you know, sent to the Harvard Review Board like nobody bending that of you, we you to do the best you can in the circumstances that you have. And, you know, 223 hours max of construction. Like the days I've been for the

spk_1:   1:3:36
craziness that we have going on right now on the Web and spectacular, these kids need to be outside playing, then

spk_2:   1:3:46
need to begin fresh air. Um,

spk_1:   1:3:49
y'all need to breathe. Take a break if you want to take 11 o'clock break

spk_2:   1:3:55
or 12 o'clock break so you can watch Young and the restless and feel bad because you've been neglecting going into restless because you've been trying to be a mommy

spk_1:   1:4:03
Teacher. Listen, girl, take your 12 o'clock Kempton the rest break and drink your look. Cup of coffee. So you're Abagail, Clay. Have a great like you're talking to me right now.

spk_2:   1:4:14
Listen, let me appreciate us over. We have, as school teachers are always in import to do brain breaks. Give your brain time to relax and breathe. And one of the things that we have something called action based learning instruction. And one of the statistics is that for every, um, five minutes that you give for the bringing to relax, you get seven minutes of instructional time. Bet I have heard that a child's age is relative to their attention span. Yeah, so if you take all of those things thing into A into account Plus, the child has access to all of their toys and their video games. And this the pantry

spk_1:   1:4:59
and I just think about that's all they can think about a paying, you know, attention. So you two hours, maybe three hours, max, and then live your best life. Why you away from home?

spk_2:   1:5:09
Enjoy your family. Enjoy your time. Don't be stressed about this work. It'll get done and summer will be here before. You

spk_0:   1:5:15
sure do the best. Looking sorry. I was just a minute over

spk_1:   1:5:21
here. I really appreciate your time. I know this was like a really unique podcast that we kind of we put together and you guys are such You have someone do the asking about the idea. And I really have to think that, Tina, because really kind of planning that, um, my, my spirit, I want to talk to you guys about it. And who else could I think about Lookbook, Priscilla and Sakina? So I really thank you for taking the time to be on the pockets and and doing something to really help. Mostly parents. I mean, I think this really was helping us. I'm sure we'll be seeing teachers listen. Try to put their two cents in the comments, which is fine, but we really appreciate your time. And, um, it's Saturday and look at that. You just decided to talk to me, so thank you. This is awesome.

spk_0:   1:6:11
Meeting where to go, but way decided to stay a great chance with you.

spk_1:   1:6:20
I throw it on a little lipstick for you, but on the little Alice you came. Listen, you have anything the other going somewhere right now Like it's like, Yeah, Lambda. I

spk_0:   1:6:31
am painting

spk_2:   1:6:32
studio in the living room. Wives, kids, all Americans.

spk_1:   1:6:40
You got everyone watching it Now I gotta catch up on this. I don't really watch much TV. I really everything is using recorded. They watch the news occasion, but I have no idea what's going on, really other than, like, maybe twice a week at check in. Oh, big. But all that all the good stuff. I really feel encouraged and inspired. And I don't feel that, um my my distant starting. I don't know you bank elegant and I look forward, experience, everybody. This has been the 16 episode of the Charleston Real Estate Connection podcast. I had the opportunity of speaking with Priscilla Johnson. Akina Riley Here. I'll put all their contact information really like social media lies. They're okay with that and the notes, as well as the advance that they actually do. They get back all the time for someone with breeding to show no Sundays. The kina, we'll get this, whatever she's doing, working out or just even happen to pay an obsession. So I want to start out with a hole in the nosy. I can check them out. And when they're and when they do their lives, I'm definitely Cheers. Well, so thank you. Thank you, girl next door in Spain, Goldman and stay safe out there. This has been another episode of the Charleston Real Estate Connection podcast. You can find us on our website at Charleston re connection dot com. That's Charleston re connection dot com.