EMU Today

YPSILANTI – In early April, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order that effectively closed school facilities for the rest of the academic year.

Yet the learning did not stop with that order, of course, and the expectations for continued contact with students remained in effect.

Michael McVey, a professor of teacher education at Eastern Michigan University who works with training teacher candidates on the effective use of technology in the classroom, says he’s impressed with how districts across Michigan have coped with the changes.

“From my perspective as a school board trustee (Saline Area Schools), I have been impressed with how our district and others have reacted to the challenges,” McVey said.

He also serves as a member of the Michigan Association of School Boards, and thus keeps in touch with trustees from across the state.

“I can report that almost every district has stepped up to create Continuity of Learning plans that work for teachers, students, and parents,” McVey said. “Through social media and through conversations across neighborhood lawns with teachers, I have seen how resilient teachers have been.”

One of McVey’s favorite narratives was hearing that music classes are not only continuing but that they are flourishing. He reports that teachers have been meeting via Zoom with small groups of students, by instrument, where they are taught notes and fingerings for their instruments, given a link to sheet music, then muted while they practice.

“I think that feature must be welcome at times,” McVey says wryly.

When students are ready or have a question, they raise their hands and get un-muted. Plans for bringing in the whole orchestra in Zoom is the next logical step, and McVey says he’s looking forward to hearing a recording of that.

McVey also has heard from teachers who are also at home being full-time parents. They have been having school team meetings as late as 9:30 at night.

“Why so late?” McVey asks. “That’s about the time of the latest bedtime when all the kids have been tucked in for the night. That is a real sign of dedication to both roles.”

McVey offers several observations and suggestions others may find helpful amid the online setting.

Flexibility: Remember that the schedule you used to adhere to was built for a structured school day and that the home life of your students is out of your control. A little flexibility in grading, in scheduling, and in just about every way you interact with students, is essential. Count on awkwardness at times and count on your students – they will surprise you. There is no perfectly correct way to do this.

Empathy: Try to see the world not only through your students’ eyes but through the eyes of their families. Some are struggling with everything from spotty Wi-Fi to food insecurity.

Learning: There are so many colleagues going through the same thing you are. If asking for help is new to you, it is an attitude you should embrace soon. The wealth of resources available through professional organizations have spilled out onto Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Reality: Keeping expectations for grading high is fine, but the reality is that the pressure on students is much higher with the addition of emotional stressors, changes to routines, and a general fear about what is happening in the world.

Connecting: Teachers are encountering heart-rending stories from students and their families, but they have also learned that a regular connection with their students can bring a sense of normalcy to their lives. One mother shared that even though they didn’t need the free meal provided by the school, she picked one up and her second-grader was so happy to get the meal. Even the milk in its little carton reminded her of what it was like to spend lunch with her buddies.

“Tiny connections like that mean so much.,” McVey says.

Safety: Teachers and parents need to be reminded that federal privacy rules such as COPPA and FERPA still exist to protect students and that as sweet as it might be to see all those faces in a Zoom meeting, screenshots shouldn’t be shared broadly.

McVey says it’s too early to tell what Michigan schools will look like this fall.

“Split shifts, smaller cohorts, hybrid options and more are still under discussion and will be examined right through the summer,” he said. “As we discuss shifting proms, graduations, celebrations and more into the next year, my belief is that we will all step up.

“Once initial disappointments fade, we will embrace the new options and opportunities to be with our friends and colleagues once again.”

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.