STRONG CONNECTIONS

Roundtable Discussion

Educators consistently report that a lack of student engagement is one of the most challenging—if not the most challenging—aspects of virtual teaching. Districts, schools, and educators have made Herculean efforts to track down missing students—even going to their homes—and still report a worrisome number of absences. Concern that students who were already at risk of low participation before the pandemic may be intensified. However, some educators have managed to maintain a consistently high level of student participation. How have they done it? What aspects of their successful virtual teaching might become permanent post-pandemic to ensure all students engage in critical learning?

Our roundtable conversation will explore the journey educators have been on to reach every student and best practices for student engagement in any environment.

Participants will:

• Learn how school systems have worked and evolved over the last year to reach all students, despite ever-changing circumstances.
• Hear from panelists about their struggles and successes of engaging students during COVID-19.
• Discover ways that teachers can personalize lessons to meet the needs and interests of their students and keep them engaged.
• Unpack best practices from virtual and hybrid learning environments and consider how these practices can be used or adapted in the classroom when in-person learning resumes.
• Consider ways to finish out this school year strong.