Read

The Reality of Teaching in a Pandemic

Creator:
Published:
March 12, 2024
March 22, 2021
Watch what it's like teaching during COVID for Andrew, a social studies teacher at Providence Cristo Rey High School.

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.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 12, 2024
March 22, 2021
On a related note...
Good and Decent EP 21: Comedy of Life

Good and Decent EP 21: Comedy of Life

Grotto

Why Sewing is One Answer to a Sustainable Future

Why Sewing is One Answer to a Sustainable Future

Katie Lemaire

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

Mary Grace Mangano

10 Inspiring Twitter Accounts to Uplift Your Feed

10 Inspiring Twitter Accounts to Uplift Your Feed

Molly Cruitt

Dear Therapist: I Don’t Want to Be a Controlling Mom, But I Can’t Help It

Dear Therapist: I Don’t Want to Be a Controlling Mom, But I Can’t Help It

Grotto, Brya Hanan

Why Do We Like Being Scared?

Why Do We Like Being Scared?

Lillian Fallon

5 Things Every Beginner Cook Needs to Know

5 Things Every Beginner Cook Needs to Know

Lauren Lawson

St. Padre Pio Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Padre Pio Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Facing Death and Finding Life

Facing Death and Finding Life

Matt Paolelli

4 Ways to Respond When Your Goals Feel Out of Reach

4 Ways to Respond When Your Goals Feel Out of Reach

Robert Christian

5 Ways to Turn Around an Awkward Conversation

5 Ways to Turn Around an Awkward Conversation

Maria Walley

Ice Cream Brothers: A Grotto Short Film

Ice Cream Brothers: A Grotto Short Film

Grotto

5 Simple Ways to Help Out a New Mom

5 Simple Ways to Help Out a New Mom

Krista Steele

This Worldwide Peace Movement is a Call to Unity

This Worldwide Peace Movement is a Call to Unity

Katie Faley

Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Stephanie DePrez

Why Getting Distracted May Be the Key to Productivity

Why Getting Distracted May Be the Key to Productivity

Lillian Fallon

Food Filmmaker Captures the "Magic" of Food

Food Filmmaker Captures the "Magic" of Food

Grotto

Mapping a Journey Through Grief with Picasso

Mapping a Journey Through Grief with Picasso

Julia Weir

Film Brings Awareness to Tragic Events on Greenwood Avenue

Film Brings Awareness to Tragic Events on Greenwood Avenue

Grotto

How to Heal From a Heartbreak

How to Heal From a Heartbreak

Makaela Douglas

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.