Virtually Perfect Learning :: How Virtual Schooling Benefitted Non-Traditional and Medically-Fragile Families

0

The Educate Debate is an editorial series presented to you by Fort Worth Moms and our sponsors Great Hearts ArlingtonMontessori School of Fort Worth, and Uplift Education. To read all the articles included in this series, please click HERE.

How can children with ADHD succeed at virtual learningI am sure I am about to share an unpopular opinion. I will admit without a doubt we were thrust into the choice because of circumstances, but it’s also an opinion I am thrilled to say worked beautifully for our family this year.

Virtual school is not ideal for everyone, but it was perfect for our family in the pandemic. Yes, I heard the pin drop.

During the late winter of 2020, our son, Cline, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and our world turned upside down. Unfortunately, his diagnosis coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. Cline needed a bone marrow transplant, and a failed first transplant quickly turned into two. 

The pros and cons of different types of schooling options for kids“Survival mode” does not do justice to what we felt, but I cannot find the words to articulate how we functioned. Yet, we were able to regroup for the 2020 – 2021 school year, and start our youngest, Camille, via publiv virtual school. It was truly the perfect fit for our chaotic lives. 

Camille started in a learning pod with our neighbors who’d found the MOST phenomenal tutor, who was expecting. The tutor wanted to be very safe in order to protect her unborn child. As time progressed and the situation evolved with the schools, she became our exclusive tutor who was able to spend time with Camille three days a week and schlep her work back and forth to the school as our son was hospitalized for eight months.

When Cline returned home, our tutor and I were able to “tag team” the learning, but she still helped heavily with our daughter, and truly, I am FOREVER in debt to both her and all of our kiddo’s AMAZING teachers.

To say the learning process was seamless would be a farce; while I don’t believe virtual learning can replace in person learning, the socialization, and workload for the teachers, I do think it’s something to be strongly considered point forward.

Father and Daughter in HospitalVirtual learning is great for non-traditional families with any health issues or those who have to travel for work. We were able to safely quarantine while my children were still able to be a part of the learning experience with their peers.

It provides students the ability to connect from anywhere, whether it’s a hospital bed or traveling, and the classroom curriculum is set for them. Our tutor gave birth in March, but at this point our children were pros at logging on and moving from class to class. Also — added bonus — our kids loved the hot meals and snacking during class. Most important, the way of our world is changing; we have realized that we can still be efficient, engaged, and maximize productivity from “virtually” anywhere. 

We’re forever indebted to our principals, teachers, and tutor for their cooperation and incredible help during our struggle. I am now a huge proponent of unconventional learning in unconventional times, something our family has needed since our son started kindergarten!

By Elena :: Bio coming soon.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here