We can all agree that 2021 was a rollercoaster. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, you can both relate to this strange year. When interviewing a few teachers to ask them about their 2021, I got some pretty similar responses to most of my questions. History teacher, Mr. Mohan, described his 2021 as, “interesting.” English teacher, Mr.Goebelbecker, describes 2021 as, “So far, improving.”

Lastly, Fitness and Driver’s Education teacher, Mr. Basilicato, says his 2021 is so far, “progress.” As this year is coming to an end, many students and teachers see the obvious difference in learning and teaching from previous years. For most if not all, in-person learning has improved their 2021.

Virtual learning has been problematic during the pandemic and still is. 2021 wasn’t an easy year, for anyone. This especially applies to teachers who have had a continuous struggle with teaching both virtual and in-school students. When I questioned teachers about their 2021 experience regarding teaching, I got some pretty mixed responses about student academics.

I asked a few teachers, “Do you notice that kids have been falling behind because of the pandemic?”

“The thing I’m most concerned with is students’ inability and unwillingness to engage with the people around them, that may be specific to my class and something that I am doing as a teacher,” said History teacher, Mr. Mohan.

“Yes and no, it’s a very case by case, I think it depends on how the student did online,” said English teacher, Mr. Goebelbecker.

Learning through a computer screen wasn’t accurate to in-person learning and many students’ academics suffered because of virtual learning. Virtual learning taught students the material they were required to know, but it didn’t teach them to understand it.

“What is it like teaching more people in person this year?” I asked.

“Much better, I hated teaching through a screen, it’s much better interacting with people in a more real way,” said English teacher, Mr. Goelbecker.

“It’s wonderful, again it reminds me of why I went into education in the first place,” said History teacher, Mr.Mohan.

“I feel like I’ve been able to go back to my bread and butter,” said Fitness and Driver’s Education teacher, Mr.Basilicato.

Of the three teachers I interviewed, all had a similar response when asked,

”What was the hardest part of teaching virtual?”

“No feedback from students,” said Mr. Goelbecker.

“Trying to grab my student’s attention,” said Mr. Basilicato.

“Not having a deeper, more meaningful, personal connection with students,” said Mr. Mohan.

Many distractions from technology issues and our friends texting us made it hard to focus. Overall, virtual learning didn’t really feel like school it just felt like a requirement that we had to complete. This overall made it almost impossible to create a real connection with our teachers.

“It was certainly different, it gave me a greater appreciation of being in the physical classroom with physical human beings. I’m still trying to figure out the effects of the different types of learning environments where students are today.” said History teacher, Mr. Mohan.

Overall, this year was and still is challenging for everyone at Wayne Hills, especially teachers. Since the beginning of the year, there have been constant changes in virtual and in-person learning that teachers had to deal with. As we end the year, it seems like 2022 will seem more normal and welcoming than 2021.