Back to school teacher training opens virtual new world for educators

Back to school in La Conner this year means back to the computer screen for students and teachers alike.

La Conner Schools teachers and staff began training remotely last week with the new distance learning platforms that will be used to instruct students at least through fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On-line classes in La Conner are scheduled to start Sept. 14.

For La Conner teachers and para-educators, the usual end of summer on-campus camaraderie with colleagues renewing friendships and sharing vacation updates prior to in-person strategy sessions was replaced starting last Wednesday with technology-driven tutorials.

n a profession whose guiding mantra is “modify and adjust,” the La Conner staff literally opened a new toolbox to begin work on remote methods for developing and delivering lessons to students.

By most accounts, it is an overwhelming process. It is also considered not just doable, but necessary.

“The teachers,” said La Conner Middle and High School Principal Kathy Herrera, “are diving deep into learning new tools for our on-line learning. We are spending our five professional development days working on learning a new learning management system.”

That system, at the secondary level, is the Canvas Learning Management Platform, designed to build a digital environment that simplifies teaching and elevates student mastery of course content.

“Canvas,” Herrera said, “will be the place that (grades) 6-12 students and families will access all of their on-line lessons, turn in assignments, click on Zoom links, grades, and other information.”

The Seesaw platform is being employed at La Conner Elementary. It is touted as a collaborative system that promotes instructional efficiency while offering a secure learning loop between students, teachers, and families.

Principal Heather Fakkema has divided elementary staff into groups based on familiarity with on-line instructional systems. Those groups have provided regular on-line feedback to the entire faculty on what they have learned about Seesaw.

On Friday, the La Conner Elementary focus was on its math curriculum. A detailed tutorial, including tips on what students should see on their computer screens, was presented on-line by a math specialist.

The staff was then invited to meet with department heads and supervisors, discussing in Zoom meetings the highlights of the tutorial.

The middle and high schools relied on peer instruction.

“We have a team of teachers that spent time this summer learning the system well enough that they are our Canvas mentors,” Herrera said.

Each of the mentors guided three or four staff members, she said.

“Our mentors have also put together videos for our staff to access on specific parts of Canvas,” said Herrera.

The teacher training modeled the system that will be used for on-line learning this fall, she said. That will be a blend of recorded videos and live instruction, mixing synchronous, asynchronous and off-line time for independent study.

The on-line platforms will provide a more structured distance learning approach than what was quickly put together last spring when campuses across Washington state were suddenly closed to stem spread of the coronavirus.

While everyone would prefer a traditional in-person instructional setting, Herrera said faculty members are adapting quite nicely in real time.

“The teachers,” said Herrera, “are happy to have the time to work in-depth on Canvas.”

La Conner Elementary staff echoed that sentiment.

“Everyone,” said a returning para-educator, “is learning as they go along. It will take time, but it’s an opportunity for (professional) growth.”