A Class of Their Own
Some students have found themselves alone as the only one in their class to return to in-person learing.
By Isabella Klawitter
Some students have found themselves alone as the only one in their class to return to in-person learing.
By Isabella Klawitter
Pioneer officially started hybrid learning on April 21 bringing students back to campus for the first time after a year.
Although all students were presented with the option to come back to in-person schooling after spring break, most students opted to finish the year with distance learning, leaving some classes with as few as one student.
Samantha Schweizer, 12, is the only student in her AP Economics class, and finds it somewhat strange, but still finds some benefits to being in person.
“I am the only person in only one of my classes. If I had been the only person in more than one class, I might have rethought my choice,” said Schweizer. “The teacher mostly focuses on the online kids, but during assignments there is time for me to ask one-on-one questions so that has been nice.”
Upon coming back to school teachers have adjusted to the new classroom rules that come with half online and half in-person students. Kevin Krail, multimedia and film studies teacher, has said that while it's exciting to begin to have students back on campus it is a struggle to try and teach online and in person students.
“Us teachers are constantly being pulled in two different directions. It just feels silly and it can be hard to treat both groups of students equally. Again, I wish we had all students back in class,” said Krail.
While also dealing with trying to include one in person student while also instructing the rest of her class online, English teacher Michelle Bowman and other teachers must also get used to new changes to their teaching environment.
“It can also be a little difficult to hear in my classroom. The air conditioner, air purifier, open windows, masks, and plastic shield make it difficult to hear my in-person student,” said Bowman.
Although this new way of hybrid learning is taking time to adapt to, students that came back to school have found it more beneficial despite the awkwardness of being the only student in a classroom.
“I feel like (at-home students) are missing out because I’m learning so much better at school than at home, it’s like having my own tutor for English,” said Nylah Lemus, 10, who is alone in her Honors English 3/4 class.
Despite the difficulty faced this year, students have enjoyed being able to meet their teachers and talk to friends during the passing period.
“Especially being a senior, it has been nice to be back on campus one last time,” Schweizer said.
Although all students were presented with the option to come back to in-person schooling after spring break, most students opted to finish the year with distance learning, leaving some classes with as few as one student.
Samantha Schweizer, 12, is the only student in her AP Economics class, and finds it somewhat strange, but still finds some benefits to being in person.
“I am the only person in only one of my classes. If I had been the only person in more than one class, I might have rethought my choice,” said Schweizer. “The teacher mostly focuses on the online kids, but during assignments there is time for me to ask one-on-one questions so that has been nice.”
Upon coming back to school teachers have adjusted to the new classroom rules that come with half online and half in-person students. Kevin Krail, multimedia and film studies teacher, has said that while it's exciting to begin to have students back on campus it is a struggle to try and teach online and in person students.
“Us teachers are constantly being pulled in two different directions. It just feels silly and it can be hard to treat both groups of students equally. Again, I wish we had all students back in class,” said Krail.
While also dealing with trying to include one in person student while also instructing the rest of her class online, English teacher Michelle Bowman and other teachers must also get used to new changes to their teaching environment.
“It can also be a little difficult to hear in my classroom. The air conditioner, air purifier, open windows, masks, and plastic shield make it difficult to hear my in-person student,” said Bowman.
Although this new way of hybrid learning is taking time to adapt to, students that came back to school have found it more beneficial despite the awkwardness of being the only student in a classroom.
“I feel like (at-home students) are missing out because I’m learning so much better at school than at home, it’s like having my own tutor for English,” said Nylah Lemus, 10, who is alone in her Honors English 3/4 class.
Despite the difficulty faced this year, students have enjoyed being able to meet their teachers and talk to friends during the passing period.
“Especially being a senior, it has been nice to be back on campus one last time,” Schweizer said.