HUBER HEIGHTS — Huber Heights teachers went back to school Thursday, but their students went back to their kitchen tables, couches and bedrooms.
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The district is starting the year with online learning.
“To say it’s unique is an understatement,” said AJ Ricker, a Wayne High School English teacher.
He said he was pleasantly surprised with how well the first day went. Though, he acknowledged this new form of teaching comes with challenges.
“A lot of the things that we would do in group work, a lot of the things that we would do in person, where we have that discussion, we really have to rethink that from a virtual standpoint,” Ricker said.
Charles Huber Elementary School 5th-grade teacher Emily Blaine said the first day came with some outside distractions.
“Getting them in the habit of muting their microphones if they’re not speaking. There’s little things like that we had to work though,” Blaine said.
Both teachers gave assignments so they could learn about their students.
“I think it is going to be the most challenging for all of us here, is to feel like we’re connecting with the students and that they feel connected with,” Ricker said.
Online learning does have benefits.
Blaine said it gives quiet students an opportunity to speak up.
“We can change instruction to fit the needs of a particular student,” Blaine said.
This new format also allow teachers to have creativity for their lessons.
“When we’re used to doing the same thing over and over, we’re used to teaching a lesson the same way, we get comfortable with that. Now we have to rethink that, and so that’s helping us learn as teachers. We’re growing along with the students,” Ricker said.
Different grade levels in the district will be coming back to the school building at different times. The district plans to have everyone back full time by early November.