One described it as the worst experience of her professional life. Several said they were frustrated and depressed. And all agreed the COVID pandemic has exposed or expanded learning gaps among students.
Bridge Michigan recently hosted a virtual roundtable with six teachers from across Michigan who led classrooms this fall from kindergarten through 12th grade. While some said the experience of teaching online has made them better teachers, they worry that the learning loss among a portion of their students during the pandemic will be felt in classrooms for years.
The roundtable offered a sobering window into the world of pandemic education faced by the state’s roughly 100,000 teachers since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all public and private schools to close buildings and switch to remote learning March 16. Schools closed for the remainder of the school year, but were given the option to reopen this past fall.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy Taylor Ballek/Spectrum Health
The annual event was canceled this year and it was not scheduled to take place next year because of the ongoing concern for the health and safety of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t actually cancel the 2021 race, since it was never announced as happening,” race organizers said. “We decided not to hold it in 2021 due to the pandemic and are looking forward to returning to the race in 2022.”
The Irish Jig 5K race is one of the largest races in West Michigan, according to organizers, attracting more than 6,000 participants, volunteers and team members to East Grand Rapids High School and the city of East Grand Rapids.