Andrew Jansen is a high school teacher with a passion for his job. He is also one of the many teachers who had to make big adjustments in this pandemic. Andrew had to stretch for new skills to continue teaching all of his students — especially those in economic need — whether they are learning in person or online.
"I'm always trying my best to give the kids the best product I can. Now, I mean, that's every year, right? You're trying to get better."
Video Transcript
Meet Andrew: high school teacher
(Andrew teaches to a classroom)
Andrew Jansen: Every day, we start the day with prayer. I say that as a prayer petition every single day, is that one, you just continue trying your best, and then once you kind of hit that limit, let God take care of the rest. My name is Andrew Jansen. I'm a social studies teacher here at Providence Cristo Rey. We're a hybrid model, so now I'm also teaching two students on Zoom at the same time as the kids in person.
Providence Cristo Ray High School serves students with economic need.
(Speaking to students via Zoom) What do you see in this picture?
Student: Horses.
Andrew: Horses. All right, so we see some horses. Very nice.
Interviewer: Is there a learning curve for you?
Andrew: Yeah, it was steep really quick. You wouldn't think how important internet speed is or how important it is to have a working microphone on your computer until it doesn't work. If you have a tech issue, now half of my kids can't come to school, so to say.
(Andrew speaks on the phone as he teaches)
Andrew often calls his students when they can’t connect virtually.
(Speaking to class) Remember, we're doing yesterday's notes.
I'm always trying my best to give the kids the best product I can. Now, I mean, that's every year, right? You're trying to get better. You're trying to learn new techniques, but I think it just presents more of a challenge because now those new techniques, if they fail or they fall flat, half the class isn't getting a full educational experience for that 15-minute activity. We are all, during this time, just trying our best and we are going to completely fail a lot of the time, and so again, it really is just continue trying your best. Let God take care of the rest.
(Speaking to class) What other continent are we starting to get into right there? One more continent. [inaudible]
Student: Europe.
Andrew: Europe! Very nice. Very nice.
