challenges and opportunities with distance learning
A year ago if someone mentioned "distance learning" would be the norm at the beginning of this school year you would think they were crazy. Well, these past few months have definitely been "crazy" and what we would have laughed at a year ago looks like a reality. So, how do you teach to make the most impact on your students and connect with them in a "distant learning environment?" Here are a few suggestions:
- Get to know your students. I know that's difficult when you don't even see them in your classroom each day. Find out when their birthday is, what their interests are, how many brothers and sisters they have, pets and something interesting about them.. Send them a hand-written welcome note, birthday card, or "congratulations" when they win an award. Parents are a good resource.
- Have your students get to know you. Introduce yourself and tell them a little about yourself. Let them know you are human and were once a student yourself. Tell stories about your school days or other times which can inspire your students to do their best.
- Make your expectations and instructions clear. You may not know all the guidelines or curriculum yourself with daily changing structure. However, let them know what is expected of them and that distance learning is not playing video games for hours. The difficulty with distance learning is that student's can't walk up to a teacher's desk and ask questions when they don't understand something.. Follow up with assignments given and be there to help.
- Post assignments and schedules. Let your students know what the assignments are and when they are due.
- Create a question-and answer discussion board. Make Q&A forums open to the entire class. Students can ask general questions or for clarification on assignments that might benefit everyone else.
- Hold live office hours. This is more common in college, but why not elementary, Jr. High or high school too? Let your students know what time you are available for any help or questions they might have. This is not teaching time, but rather helping time.
- Be Flexible. If possible, structure your class curriculum so that students can complete their work in their own time, not according to some rigid bell schedule. For example, don't punish students for not making it to virtual meetings. Audio and video recordings are helpful. If you have online quizzes and exams, allow students to take them anytime throughout the day.
Websites to help with distance learning/teaching
With most school districts implementing at least some, if not all, distance learning at the beginning of the school year, here are a few sites that might be able to help in both teaching and your students learning various subjects. A complete list of over 100 websites will be listed soon under "Distance Learning" on our website http://jlwaite.com
Science:
http://discoveryeducation.com http://mysteryscience.com
http://stemscopes.com
Reading
http://commonlit.org http://learningally.org
http://readworks.org http://starfall.com
Writing:
http://draftin.com http://quill.org
http://scholastic.com
Social Studies:
http://loc.gov/teachers
http://constitutioncenter.org
http://online.seterra.com
http://si.edu/educators/resources
Math:
http://dadsworksheets.com http://desmos.com
http://freemathapp.org http://funexpectedapps.com
Get a pay raise? Shelter it from taxes
Several school districts have either approved or are in negotiations for pay increases for both classified and certificated employees. Depending on your pay, this could mean hundreds of extra dollars each month in addition to "retro" pay. Taxes will take a considerable portion of the pay raise, so why not add to your 403b, thus keeping your taxes low, earn high er interest, and build your retirement savings that much faster? Do you know a school employee who isn't contributing? Let us know and we can help.
changing school districts? Let us know
If you moved to a different school district this year please let us know so we can continue your 403b contributions. Depending on your new district there will be some paperwork involved. Likewise if you need to change the amount of your contributions or want us to run numbers if your pay has changed. let us know.
Earn a 5% interest bonus on each deposit for 8 years!
If you're not already getting a 5% interest bonus on your money, now may be the time to start. Introducing the Fit Rewards Growth which credits you a 5% interest bonus on each deposit you make into your 403b, IRA ,ROTH, or SEP IRA. You will also be credited additional interest based on the S&P 500 and a fixed interest account.
"Community Partners" wanted
Do you (or someone you know) have a small business and would like to give back to the community? If so, we want you as a part of our Community Partner Network program. This network of individuals and business owners will donate time and services to schools and organizations throughout the community. In exchange, the business will receive free advertising and promotional recognition. It may be donating items for a school carnival or canned-food to a homeless shelter. If interested, or if you know someone who would be, please contact us.
Life insurance you don't have to die to use
Recently I was talking to a client and she asked if I offer life insurance. I thought by now everyone would know that in addition to offering 403b's, IRA's, Roth IRA's and other savings plans for the past 25 years that yes, we have also offered life insurance. Life insurance these days not only offers a tax-free death benefit to your family upon your death, but also tax-free retirement income to you while you live! In addition, it includes long-term care and critical illness (heart attack, cancer, stroke, etc.) benefits at no extra charge!
More ZOOM seminars coming soon
By now most of you are aware of ZOOM as an online way to communicate with others and pass on instruction and helpful ideas. School administrators use it to communicate with staff, teachers use it to communicate with students and even churches use it to communicate with their congregations. We have already had some Zoom meetings and will be having more ZOOM financial seminars coming soon. Stay tuned. We also welcome your topics of discussion.
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