by suha choi’22
The realities of distance learning hold many difficulties and barriers. Despite unprecedented challenges, the St. Mark’s faculty have done excellent jobs this spring to promote learning for their students. Several faculty share their experiences of online teaching for Window 4 as well as some thoughts of gratitude and positivity. We asked them what they have learned about themselves as teachers and their students as learners during this time we have been learning remotely.
Reverend Talcott
“I have learned that St. Markers really have a desire to learn, and are not in it just for the grades. It has been such an amazing gift to see that! They did all the work they needed in order to learn deeply, and they did it with enthusiasm--it was incredibly heartening and rewarding to see that.”- Reverend Talcott
Mr. Palmer
“Remote teaching and learning has really reinforced for me how important actual human interaction is to my teaching and my ability to communicate with students: the feedback both verbal and nonverbal when face to face is so much better than through a video screen. I teach to be with people not to just tell them stuff.” Mr. Palmer
Ms. McCann
“I am daily impressed by the way students have adapted to these wild and painful times by dashing headlong, without hesitation, into a new (and hopefully temporary) normal of remote learning. I had much more trepidation than any of my students, so they have bolstered both my teaching and my hope. I have had confirmed a long-held belief of mine: humor is instructive, powerful, and healing.” Ms. McCann
Mr. Corliss
“Remote Learning has taught me about how much I miss all the small nuances of connecting in person: without really experiencing body language, eye contact, and small cues, it is really difficult to feel connected.”
Dr. Harwood
“I have been so grateful to have the technology and professional support needed to continue teaching and learning with my students during the Pandemic. So many other students and teachers in our country and the world are without these amazing tools and resources. A lot of individuals worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this transition possible. This time has made me even more appreciative of St. Mark’s; of the strong and supportive community of faculty, staff and students and the wonderful learning opportunities we can engage in with our students- even from a distance. ” Dr. Harwood
