Victories found in distance learning amidst challenges

The first two weeks of distance learning has admittedly been a mixed bag for both students and staff at Carlton County schools, with many older kids adapting quickly to learning online, while some teachers struggle more with the daily grind of staring at a computer screen.

Trying to reach students of all ages has been a challenge, administrators and teachers report. Technology breakdowns were another issue, from getting students hooked up with internet access, to software crashing, to fixing broken computers and tablets.

But there were also many pleasant surprises, and both teachers and students are adapting and learning to communicate with each other in new ways.

The Pine Knot News reached out to a number of teachers and administrators to get their thoughts on the first week or so of this new adventure in education.

Here's what they said:

"It went smashingly, shocking well, all things considered. Were there technical glitches? Yes. But that's nothing different from how we deal with kids every day. Parents don't need to worry. As teachers, we will do anything possible to facilitate their kid's learning. We are chomping at the bit to connect with kids, although maybe parents could help with that first initial connection if it's needed. But really, we live in a really cool community. Parents, kids, the community ... they rallied. It was pretty motivating for all of us."

- Cloquet Middle School social studies teacher

Mike Bushey

"Outside of normal issues such as equipment breaking, things are going very well technology-wise. Initially we had a rush of help requests to get devices fixed for both staff and students, and get everyone connected at home. We answered over a month's worth of support calls in just four days, and helped people over the phone, through text message, and even over Facebook. Throughout distance learning we will continue to support both staff and students remotely. If users need any help at all, they are encouraged to submit a help ticket online or call."

- Cloquet School District technology director Trevor "T.J." Smith

"Moving any classroom to the online setting definitely has its challenges, but how do you teach art online? You can't count on all students having art materials, or even unlined paper, for that matter. The greatest assets Cloquet Middle School has as Visual Art shifts online are creative kids, Schoology and iPads. Kids can learn about art and create in countless ways. ... If there is one thing that makes me happy, despite all of the challenges this health crisis has presented, it is that the richness and uniqueness of our students always comes through. The paint may be virtual, but the kids are real as ever."

- Cloquet Middle School art teacher Andrea Cacek

"For the most part, all of our students participated and were able to connect with their teachers via phone, FaceTime, Google meet, or Schoology classroom. We were even able to continue some of our same routines as our daily CMS Today show and run some school-wide contests like 'Where in the Middle School is Elvis?' As middle-level educators, we know that positive relationships with our students are as meaningful as what we teach. CMS staff used this first week to make sure those positive relationships continued."

- Cloquet Middle School principal Tom Brenner

"The teaching staff worked very well together in creating the format and content for each grade level. The School Board and administration are very proud of the work they have done to date with little time to prepare. I have firsthand observations watching my own child working from home. The lessons and content isn't the same as being in class, but it seems to be of very good quality to me. Many, if not all, of the teachers have found a way to make a personal contact with each of their students. This is something we will continue to focus on."

- Esko Superintendent Aaron Fischer

"I called 95 kids since yesterday, to make sure they have all the supplies they need (for art class). Since I won't be walking around the classroom looking at what they're doing, I'm asking them to send me photos of their progress, and to continue to write how they grew in their artistic habits of mind. We teachers really miss our students, though. I really miss the energy in my classroom, the students and I miss the dialogue that we have."

- Cloquet High School art teacher Julie Deters

"The first week was relatively smooth ... relatively! We've seen a fairly high level of engagement from our students. The biggest challenge has been getting lines of communication established and figuring out what works for each student. There are a million options out there. It's an ironic twist - in a lot of ways, our students hold more knowledge than we do in terms of communication via technology. They're teaching us a lot as we get started. It should be empowering for young people to really see how much they have to offer during this period of distance learning."

- Cloquet High School Principal Steve Battaglia

"I'm an 'old school' teacher and don't use much technology in the classroom. Even before the pandemic, I wanted kids to read paperback books and handwrite most assignments because they're spending too much time on devices already. I guess it's my small effort to backlash against screen time. This online schooling frightened me, thinking of kids - my own included - staring at screens all day, like a scene from a dystopian society. But I'm happy to see kids reading books, writing on paper, taking pictures of their work, and then emailing work to me. I included a handwritten assignment from 'The Old Man and the Sea.' The way students have related to the grit of Hemingway's Santiago assures me they can handle this. They're strong."

- Cloquet High School English teacher Jason Richardson