As campus continues to be closed, remote learning is requiring our community to learn new skills and explore alternative approaches for success.

While WAB teachers are outside of the classroom away from their students, they are conducting research, taking courses, and enhancing collaboration to continuously improve the quality of each students’ learning experience.

“It has been a welcome opportunity to focus on how to improve the way we deliver material and interact with our students,” Middle School math teacher Ben Newman said. “The separation from our kids forces us to think more deeply about our teaching practices, especially in relation to individualized learning.”

And so far, Ben said, the response from students has been encouraging. They are engaging and enjoying their work, and teachers are working together to share successful approaches and methodologies.

In one case, Ben was looking for a new method to support a student through a certain mathematics equation. WAB’s tech integrator team suggested he begin using a digital platform which allowed him to create interactive or recorded whiteboard videos. Since learning how to use the program and having success with many students, Ben hosted a video workshop for his colleagues to share the valuable skills he learned.

“These types of learning exercises – like creating these videos – are effective and can be used as a more regular student resource for our normal teaching practices,” he said. “I think that most teachers would be, to some extent, grateful for the new skills and learning they have had to acquire. As educators ourselves, we should always strive to be learning.”

Part of the regular experience for all of our teachers is connecting with students using video conference. And while Ben has found the process of connecting for calls with his students both frustrating and rewarding, he has discovered something new about his relationships with them.

“it is hard to know just how much uncertainty in this situation has affected our students,” Ben said. “This time has highlighted the importance of knowing our students and be able to talk about things outside of school subject content. Parents are telling us that regular teacher interactions with their children demonstrates a sense of responsibility and care that WAB is known for.”

Like Ben, WAB teachers are actively seeking out and offering learning among their colleague groups. On top of that, many teachers are joining international video conferences and workshops – for example one this week hosted by a leading expert in mentoring and relationship-based approaches to education.

“Many teachers have described this past few weeks as some of the most intense professional development (PD) they have been through, and we owe a special thanks to our team of technology integrators and IT support of their sustained efforts over the last weeks,” said Stephen Taylor, WAB’s MYP Coordinator who will serve as the school’s Director of Innovation next school year.

“All of this learning is in the direct and immediate service of the learning of our students, and it will serve us well even as we move back onto campus.”

To find more resources and learning strategies from WAB’s leadership teams, tech integrators, and staff, please visit the Home Learning & Coronavirus Page on WAB’s Parent Portal.