Wrenshall News: Personable teacher learns the online ropes

Last week, Gov. Tim Walz announced that schools will continue distance learning through the end of the school year. I wouldn’t normally use this column to air petty annoyances but I’ve noticed some terminology that I want to address. Schools are not “closed” for the year. While the physical buildings are inaccessible, the administrators, teachers, and students are working really hard to figure out how to make distance learning work as best it can. Parents and caregivers are putting in a lot of extra hours alongside teachers to try to ensure student success. The extra effort and attention is recognized and appreciated. A heartfelt thanks to all.

I interviewed English teacher Joel Swanson last week about his transition to online learning. (He writes about it on Page 21.) We spoke before we had heard that the distance learning would stay in effect. He teaches eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade English and a mythology class. Swanson fully admits that technology doesn’t always come naturally to him. He said that when he was studying in college he went to the writing lab senior year and was amazed by the word processing typewriters there.

“I joke with folks that for a long time I thought email referred to ‘emergency mail,’” he said.

This past fall his seniors taught him how to use Google Classroom. He is thankful that he was able to figure it out before the online switch this spring.

Swanson fully acknowledges the challenges of distance learning. What would normally take 5 seconds to go over in class can take 10 minutes. The give-and-take of the classroom experience is hard or impossible to replicate but he says that there have been a few nice surprises. Students are typing all their work now, making reading the assignments much easier. One student has been able to drastically improve their grade without the social distractions of a classroom.

“But nothing replaces being in person,” says Swanson. He said he got a little emotional when he went into school to scan some books.

“I miss seeing my students,” he said. “It’s an energy you can’t get over a screen.”

History

I had a wonderful response to our history quiz and there are a couple more recollections that folks shared of Fred Bressler’s corner store. Marian (Hoadley) Johnson, (Wrenshall class of 1969) and Judy Johnson remembered it. The following is Marian’s recollection of the store:

I also remember going to the store to buy penny candy. The man behind the counter liked kids and I believe he had no children of his own. You could get two pieces of candy for a penny. When I was able to and had a nickel in my pocket, I would walk over to the store. We couldn’t go anywhere by ourselves so it was kind of exciting to do this. Of course, I did this on lunch break and never got into any trouble. I would share some of my candy with my friends when I got back to school.

I liked the man at the store. He was small in size and always had a smile on his face. He didn’t mind how long you took to decide on what you wanted to buy.

If you have a Wrenshall story or related trivia, contact Anne Dugan at 218-310-4703 or [email protected]