The Welcome Mat
The Welcome Mat: Has Virtual Learning Made Parents Teachers?
Season 2020 Episode 20 | 28m 11sVideo has Closed Captions
Kia is joined by Desiree, to discuss virtual learning challenges for children and parents.
Kia is joined by a Friend of the show, Desiree, to discuss virtual learning challenges for both the children and parents.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
The Welcome Mat is a local public television program presented by WTJX
The Welcome Mat
The Welcome Mat: Has Virtual Learning Made Parents Teachers?
Season 2020 Episode 20 | 28m 11sVideo has Closed Captions
Kia is joined by a Friend of the show, Desiree, to discuss virtual learning challenges for both the children and parents.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch The Welcome Mat
The Welcome Mat is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
>>> THIS PROGRAM WAS UNDERWRITTEN IN PART BY -- >> AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>>> WE´RE ALL JUST TRYING TO KEEP THINGS RUNNING FOR THOSE THAT RELY ON US.
THAT´S WHY WE DON´T HAVE TIME TO BE SICK WITH THE FLU.
ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR NO ONE HAS TIME TO GET SICK.
GET A FLU SHOT FOR YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU, TOO.
>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.
>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.
♫♫ >>> HEY, EVERYBODY.
HELLO, HELLO, HELLO.
WELCOME BACK, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINS US FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF "THE WELCOME MAT."
WELCOME BACK, DEZ.
HOW YOU BEEN?
>> I´M GREAT.
HOW ARE YOU?
>> I HAVE BEEN GREAT.
I MISS YOU.
>> I MISS YOU, TOO.
WE HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ATTENDS SCHOOLS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHICH MEANS WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE STRESS OF ONLINE LEARNING AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR.
DESIRE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING OR OUR NEW NORMAL FOR EDUCATION?
>> SO I HAD A LITTLE COUSIN RIGHT AROUND MARCH WHEN SCHOOL LET OUT, AND WE SWITCHED OVER TO VIRTUAL LEARNING, AND I WAS DOING VIRTUAL LEARNING WITH HER AT HOME EVERY DAY.
SHE´S IN SEVENTH GRADE.
THAT WAS A LEARNING CURVE FOR HER AND I. SHE´S INTO ROBLOX, SO A LOT OF TIMES SHE´S LIKE, I´M DOING MY WORK, BUT SHE WAS REALLY DOING HER ROBLOX.
AND THEN JUST CHASING BEHIND ASSIGNMENTS AND MAKING SURE SHE´S UP-TO-DATE.
>> FULL-TIME JOB, I KNOW.
I HAVE A 12-YEAR-OLD AND A 10-YEAR-OLD.
AND SOMETIMES I LEAVE THE ROOM SO I CAN GET MY OWN WORK DONE AND I COME BACK AND THEY´RE ON FORTNITE.
>> EXACTLY, BECAUSE THEY NEED IT.
>> LIKE SHE KNEW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.
THESE KIDS ARE SO CREATIVE.
I EVEN SAW PICTURES ON FACEBOOK WITH KIDS THAT PUT UP DOLLS ON THEIR CAMERAS TO LIKE POSITION THEMSELVES.
THESE KIDS ARE REALLY CLEVER.
IT IS THE ONES THAT TAPE A PICTURE.
LIKE THEY DREW A PICTURE OF THEMSELVES, LIKE A STICK FIGURE, AND TAPED IT TO THE CAMERA.
SO IT SHOWS LIKE HE´S IN CLASS.
>> YEAH, YEAH.
LIKE THAT´S CLEVER.
I HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THEM.
THEY´RE CLEVER.
SORRY.
I DIDN´T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF.
>> GO AHEAD.
>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THIS?
LIKE DO YOU THINK THAT THE VIRTUAL LEARNING IS BENEFICIAL?
DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT´S A HINDRANCE?
>> RIGHT.
I THINK THAT FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT LIKE TYPICAL LEARNERS, SO YOU HAVE VISUAL LEARNERS, AUDIO LEARNERS, I THINK THOSE KIDS WILL SUFFER IN THE LONG-TERM BECAUSE THEY MISS ANY CRUCIAL LESSONS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PICK UP IN THE CLASSROOM.
SO WHEN THEY´RE BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS, WHENEVER THAT IS, THEY WILL UNFORTUNATELY SEE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THIS YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE IT WAS LAST YEAR.
SO I´M FEARFUL FOR THOSE KIDS.
I´M NERVOUS.
A LOT OF THEM MAY BE HELD BACK.
THAT´S NOT SOMETHING KIDS WANT TO GO THROUGH.
>> AND IT IS ESPECIALLY NOT FAIR -- AND I USE THE WORDS "NOT FAIR," BECAUSE A LOT OF US PARENTS ARE NOT CAPABLE.
I CANNOT TEACH MY SIXTH GRADER MATH.
>> RIGHT, YES.
>> AND I´M PERFECTLY FINE WITH SAYING THAT.
>> THAT WAS THE NICE THING BECAUSE SHE´S DOING COMMON CORE, AND I´M LIKE, GIRL, WHAT IS THIS?
>> THEY DONE CHANGED THE MATH.
I´M LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, WE´RE GOING TO DO LONG DIVISION.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO THE SAME ANSWER, THE SAME DESTINATION.
SO, YEAH.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE KIDS IN SCHOOL NOW IS GOING TO BE THE FUTURE.
IF WE FAIL THEM TODAY, WE FAIL OURSELVES TOMORROW.
I JUST MADE UP THAT QUOTE, BY THE WAY.
>> YOU SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN.
>> I´M GOING TO DO THAT.
>> DON´T FORGET.
>> I FEEL, LIKE YOU SAID, FOR SOME OF THOSE CHILDREN THAT ARE MUCH BETTER FOCUSSED IN A CLASSROOM SETTING, LIKE MY SON, MY SECOND SON, HE IS VERY INTELLECTUAL, VERY LIKE STUDIOUS, VERY MUCH SO INTO HIS EDUCATION.
BUT I HAVE SEEN HOW HE HAS -- >> CHANGED, YEAH.
>> -- CHANGED IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF SINCE NOT HAVING THAT STRUCTURE, RIGIDITY.
THEY´RE NOT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANYMORE BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THEM SITTING AT A COMPUTER FOR EIGHT HOURS IS JUST NOT GOING TO BENEFIT THEM IN ANY WAY.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT.
>> I DIDN´T FEEL THAT WAY.
AND I HAD ALREADY FOR THE TWO YEARS PRIOR, BEEN TRYING TO FIND OPTIONS FOR HOME SCHOOLING.
>> OKAY.
>> AND RIGHT AT -- IN THE MOST CONVENIENT TIME, MY MOTHER WAS LIKE, HEY, I´M STARTING A HOME SCHOOLING PROGRAM, SO IF YOU WANT THE BOYS TO BE A PART OF IT, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
I WAS LIKE, ABSOLUTELY.
SIGN ME UP.
SO IT HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT FOR ME, MY EXPERIENCE OVER THE PAST HOWEVER LONG THEY HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL.
SHE HAS A -- SHE GOES OFF ONE OF THE CURRICULUMS, ONE OF THE STANDARD CURRICULUMS.
OTHER THAN THAT, THEY´RE FARMING.
THEY´RE FISHING.
THEY´RE COOKING.
I CAME HOME THE OTHER DAY, AND MY CHILD HAD SAUTEED ONIONS AND PEPPERS.
THEY´RE LEARNING TO MAKE DINNER.
SO EVEN THOUGH OTHER CHILDREN MAY NOT BE IN A HOME SCHOOL COLLECTIVE OR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM, THEY´RE STILL, IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, A CHANCE FOR THEM TO LEARN NEW SKILLS.
THERE IS TIME FOR THAT NOW BECAUSE I DON´T -- I THINK EVEN IN THE VIRTUAL LEARNING THEY HAVE LIKE BREAK TIMES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I DON´T KNOW HOW LONG THE BREAKS ARE.
>> YEAH.
I´M NOT TOO CONFIDENT EITHER BECAUSE SHE PLAYS ROBLOX.
SHE DEFINITELY GOT AN HOUR OUT OF ME.
>> WE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAINT CROIX FED CASE OF TEACHERS, AND HERE´S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION.
>> IF I HAD TO SAY WHAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE, IT WOULD BE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES, TOO, WERE LACKING DEVICES.
AND IT CREATED A CHALLENGE.
IT CREATED A CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO INSTRUCT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF COURSE GOT A LOT OF MONEY FROM CARES ACT, BUT IT WAS A PROCESS IN TERMS OF ORDERING.
AND WE HAD TO REMEMBER THAT WORLDWIDE DEVICES WERE IN DEMAND AND RIGHT NOW WE´RE IN A BETTER PLACE.
AM I GOING TO SAY EVERYTHING IS PERFECT?
NO.
ALL RIGHT.
BUT TEACHERS ARE ACCLIMATING SOMEWHAT TO THE SITUATION AT HAND.
IT´S DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW?
AND TEACHERS NEED TO GET ACCLIMATED TO THE NEW WAY OF TEACHING.
I MEAN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR LESSONS.
IT IS NOT THE SAME.
WE HAVE TO ENGAGE STUDENTS AND THEY´RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STUDENTS NOT TURNING ON THE CAMERAS.
THEY´RE NOT SEEING FACES.
AND A LOT OF TIMES THE CAMERAS AREN´T WORKING, SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT TEACHERS HAVE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO REACH OUT TO OUR STUDENTS.
YOU WANT THE GET TO KNOW THEM.
YOU WANT TO GET A HANDLE ON THEIR LEARNING PROFILE, THEIR PERSONALITIES, ONE OF THE CHALLENGERS, WHAT CAN HELP, WHAT HAVE YOU.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAVE REGARDING THE REMOTE, OKAY?
AND EVEN WE SEE SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE HONOR STUDENTS ARE FALLING BEHIND.
SO THEY´RE NOT ACCLIMATING.
EVEN STUDENTS ARE NOT ABOUT PLI MATING WELL TO THAT REMOTE LEARNING.
PARENTS HAVE BEEN AWESOME TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL DO WHAT THEY´RE SUPPOSED TO DO AND YOU HAVE A FEW OF THEM THAT WILL LAG BEHIND OR THOSE WHO MAY NEED SOME ADISTANCE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY NOT BE TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY OR THERE IS SOME DAY-TO-DAY JOB LIKE FOR EXAMPLE A JOB.
THE SCHEDULE, THEY´RE ON, THEY´RE OFF, WHENEVER THEIR MANAGERS WANT BECAUSE THIS, I CALL IT, THE HONEYMOON.
AND WORKING AT HOME IS A PROBLEM.
SOME BOSSES ARE NOT HAVING IT ANYMORE.
THEY´RE DEMANDING THAT SOME EMPLOYEES RETURN TO THE OFFICES, TO THE BUILDING.
AND THAT IS A CHALLENGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD AT HOME THAT ACTUALLY NEEDS ASSISTANCE.
>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES.
YOU KNOW, TEACHERS MAKE REQUESTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, TEACHERS WOULD PROMISE TO HAVE THE TRIFOLDS ON THE DESK.
STUDENTS GOT A TRIFOLD ON THEIR DESK, YOU KNOW, A BARRIER TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE, YOU KNOW, DROPLETS OR WHATEVER COMES THEIR WAY.
SO THAT WASN´T DONE INITIALLY.
BUT A FEW WEEKS -- I THINK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY STARTED INSTALLMENT AS THEY ARRIVE ON ISLAND.
SO THAT WAS A SETBACK.
ALSO THE CLEANING, WHENEVER THERE IS A BREAKOUT OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
I UNDERSTAND CUSTODIANS ARE DOING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS IN MOST SCHOOLS, SO I HOPE THEY MAKE SURE CUSTODIANS ADHERE TO THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS ONCE TEACHERS LEAVE THE PREMISE.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE OUR KIDS WILL DO WELL NO MATTER WHAT.
WE CAN´T GO BACK AND ACTUALLY GET WHAT WAS LOST.
NOBODY CAN GO BACK.
I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE SAY THAT.
YOU CAN GO BACK.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE.
IF WE´RE SEEING DEFICIENIES IN CERTAIN AREAS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER IT´S FRACTIONS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
YOU HIRE A TUTOR.
GET A TUTOR.
INTERVENTION.
WE NEED TO DO AN INTERVENTION BASED ON PROFILES.
BUT THE THING IS WE DON´T HAVE AN ACCURATE PROFILE OF OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE SOME PARENTS CONTINUE TO HELP THEM AT HOME.
SO THAT´S THE CHALLENGE, TOO.
PARENTS ARE NOT BEING UPRIGHT AND HONEST WITH THEIR STUDENTS, WHAT THEY KNOW, THEIR ABILITIES AND WHAT HAVE YOU, WHETHER THEY HAVE MASTERED THE SKILL OR NOT AND THAT´S THE CHALLENGE WHEN IT COMES TO INTERVENTION.
PARENTS ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD IN THAT REGARD BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME PARENTS WHO ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB AND THEY HAVE REALLY TAKEN THE PLACE OF TEACHERS.
HATS OFF TO ALL THOSE PARENTS DOING SUCH A TREMENDOUS JOB IN TERMS OF EDUCATING STUDENTS, FOLLOW THE CURRICULUM, FOLLOW THE ACTIVITY, FILE YOUR WORK IN A TIMELY FASHION.
THAT´S ANOTHER ISSUE.
WORK IS NOT BEING SUBMITTED IN A TIMELY FASHION.
SOME STUDENTS ARE NOT ENGAGING.
THEY´RE NOT COMING ONLINE.
HOW CAN A TEACHER GRADE A STUDENT THAT´S NOT ONLINE, THAT A PARENT HASN´T PRODUCED FOR LEARNING?
HOW DO WE DO THAT?
SO THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT CONTINUE TO HAUNT TEACHERS AND LINGER IN THEIR MINDS AND, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO ANSWER IT.
WE NEED TO GET TO THOSE HOMES, GET THOSE CHILDREN ONLINE, DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.
BUT WE NEED TO GET OUR STUDENTS ON RADAR.
SOME STUDENTS ARE OFF RADAR, AND THAT REMAINS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR US.
>> WELL, I THINK -- I LOVE HOW STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, BLUNT AND PASSIONATE SHE IS ABOUT IT, ABSOLUTELY.
SHE LISTED QUITE A FEW OF THE ISSUES.
NUMBER ONE BEING THE DIVISIVE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH DEVICES TO SUPPLY THE CHILDREN ON THE ISLAND.
THAT WAS AN ISSUE I RAN INTO AT THE BEGINNING OF ALL THIS BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION TO PUT THE CHILDREN IN HOME SCHOOLING.
I SHOWED UP TO THE SCHOOL.
THEY WERE LIKE MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER SO THEY COULD GET THEIR DEVICES.
WHEN I GOT THERE, THEY WERE LIKE, OH, WE DON´T HAVE ANY MORE DEVICES FOR YOUR CHILD, SO TAKE ALL THESE BOOKS.
AND I WAS LIKE, EXCUSE ME?
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THESE BOOKS?
>> THERE WAS DEFINITELY A HUGE ECONOMIC DIVIDE THAT PLAYED A BIG ROLE.
I´M HAPPY SHE MENTIONED IT BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES DECISION MAKERS AND POLICYMAKERS DON´T TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND WE EXPECT TO SAY, OH, YOU NEED TO BUY THEM TEN LAPTOPS.
PEOPLE DON´T HAVE IT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS, LOST THEIR SIDE JOBS OR WHATEVER INCOME.
LIKE THE ECONOMY TURNED DOWN.
WHO WOULD HAVE $1,500 TO BUY THREE LAPTOPS?
THAT´S NOT REALISTIC.
>> AND SOME PARENTS DIDN´T EVEN HAVE THE ABILITY TO STAY HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
>> RIGHT.
>> CAN YOU IMAGINE THESE PRESCHOOLERS AND THESE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE TO GO TO WORK?
>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY.
THAT MADE MY HEART HURT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> AND THERE WERE A LOT OF KIDS HELPING THEIR SIBLINGS BUT THEY´RE ALSO IN CLASS.
>> IN CLASS, YEAH.
>> SO IT´S JUST A CATCH 22, I THINK.
>> YEAH, IT WAS.
I THINK IT´S AN OPPORTUNE TIME FOR A COMMUNITY.
>> RIGHT.
>> THIS IS WHEN THE VILLAGE IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE OVER.
IT IS SUPPOSED TO KICK IN.
TEACHERS CANNOT DO IT ON THEIR OWN ANYMORE.
>> RIGHT.
>> I THINK THERE HAS BEEN MANY, MANY, MANY OPPORTUNITY, THE PLATFORMS WHERE THEY HAVE SPOKEN AND SAID, HEY, WE NEED HELP.
>> WE´RE FRUSTRATED.
>> AND PARENTS ARE DOING THE SAME, BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE IS THIS KIND OF DIVIDE BETWEEN THE PARENTS -- BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS JUST BASED OFF OF WHAT I SEE.
BUT I ALSO SEE WHERE THERE HAS BEEN -- THERE HAS BEEN, FOR SOME, HAVE THEY BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT A LITTLE BETTER WITH THE SITUATION?
>> YEAH.
>> SO, LIKE YOU SAY, IT IS A CATCH 22.
IT DEPENDS ON THE TEACHERS, STUDENT, PARENT RELATIONSHIP.
BUT WE AS PARENTS, TEACHERS AND WE HAVE TO INSTILL IN OUR STUDENTS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO WORK TOGETHER IN THIS TIME AND TO JUST FACILITATE A SITUATION WHERE IT´S BENEFICIAL.
>> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
>> WE HAVE TO HELP OUR KIDS ALONG.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE ARE KIDS WHO AREN´T SHOWING UP TO CLASS, DOING ASSIGNMENTS.
AND THEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR, YOU GET AN S. >> YEAH.
>> WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS NOW?
>> YEAH.
>> I MEAN, BUT WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU THINK WOULD MOTIVATE A CHILD TO WORK THROUGH THIS?
>> THAT´S THE NEXT CAVEAT ABOUT THIS WHOLE ISSUE IS IT IS UNPRECEDENTED.
IT IS NOT LIKE WE GO THROUGH A PANDEMIC EVERY COUPLE YEARS.
THIS IS COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED.
WE´RE CREATING A NEW NORMAL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SO IT IS LIKE I DON´T NECESSARILY SAY THERE IS ANYBODY AT FAULT.
>> YEAH.
>> BECAUSE WE´RE ALL LEARNING TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME.
BUT WHAT I´M FEARFUL IS FOR THE KIDS THAT I FEEL DEFEATED.
I FEEL DISCOURAGED.
THEY ARE EMBARRASSED THEY WILL RE-ENTER THE CLASSROOM AND NOT NECESSARILY BE AS PREPARED AS THEIR CLASS MATE WHOSE PARENTS WERE WORKING FROM HOME AND HAD THE RESOURCES TO BUY THEM A WHITE BOARD AND ALL THE SUPPLIES THAT THEY NEEDED.
THEY WILL FEEL INADEQUATE TO THAT STUDENT BECAUSE THIS CHILD REMEMBERED EVERYTHING FROM LAST YEAR AND VIRTUAL LEARNING.
I CAN´T BLAME THEM.
OF COURSE IT IS NATURAL TO FEEL THAT WAY.
BUT PRIOR TO COVID, THE DROP-OUT HIGH SCHOOLER WAS ABOUT 50% OF MALES DROPPED OUT IN EIGHTH GRADE.
THAT´S SAD.
THAT´S A DARK NUMBER.
THAT NUMBER IS SOBERING.
>> YEAH.
>> WHEN I LEARNED THAT, I WAS LIKE, THIS IS REALLY SAD.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IT´S 50%, 50%.
LIKE THAT NUMBER IS CRAZY TO ME.
>> CRAZY NUMBER.
50% DON´T MAKE IT TO NINTH GRADE BECAUSE THEY DROP OUT BEFORE.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO DO NOW?
>> EXACTLY.
THAT´S EXACTLY MY POINT.
THAT´S EXACTLY MY POINT.
>> SO THAT JUST STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS.
I´M LIKE WHAT?
>> I´M LIKE 50%?
>> SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACILITIES, THE SCHOOL CAMPUSES NOW, LIKE SENDING CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL?
I KNOW THERE WERE A FEW CAMPUSES THAT HAD TO STOP -- >> LIKE SOMEONE CAME IN POSITIVE OR WHATEVER THE CASE IS.
THAT´S THE THING.
I WISH THERE WAS A SOLUTION.
I DON´T KNOW IF IT´S TO REQUIRE VACCINATION.
BUT NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET THE VACCINE OR IS WILLING TO AT THIS STAGE.
I´M NOT IN THE POSITION TO FORCE ANYBODY TO DO ANYTHING MEDICALLY.
SO I´M STUCK IN THIS POSITION LIKE, WELL, HOW DO WE CURB THE SPREAD AND INVITE KIDS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS?
THE HYBRID LEARNING IS WORKING FOR SOME SCHOOLS BECAUSE I KNOW SOME GO BACK FOR A COUPLE DAYS A WEEK AND STAY HOME FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEY ALTERNATE WITH OTHER STUDENTS.
BUT THE LONG-TERM PROJECTION OF THIS IS GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO A LOT OF STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS WHO ARE DIFFERENT LEARNERS.
>> YEAH.
>> YOU KNOW, LIKE, WHO -- >> YEAH.
I COMPLETELY AGREE.
I PERSONALLY WOULD BE NERVOUS TO SEND MY KID BACK TO SCHOOL.
>> YES.
>> BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT´S LIKE I WANT THEM TO HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE.
>> SOMETIMES THEY EVEN LEARN THINGS FROM THEIR FRIENDS.
>> EXACTLY.
THEY WILL LEARN BETTER FROM SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN MYSELF.
>> EXACTLY.
>> SO IT´S -- IT CAN BE A VERY DAUNTING SITUATION WITH EDUCATION.
>> RIGHT.
>> HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
LIKE YOU SAY, EVEN PRIOR TO COVID, WE CLEARLY HAVE HAD -- >> WE HAD A BIG ISSUE, NOT ONLY LITERACY BUT WITH THE DROP-OUT RATE.
>> NOT JUST WITH THE DROP-OUT RATE, BUT ALSO WITH OUR RESOURCES.
WE ALREADY DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES FOR -- WE DIDN´T -- YOU KNOW, I WENT TO SCHOOL.
I WENT UP TO SCHOOL IN HOUSTON UP TO NINTH GRADE AND THEN I CAME HERE FOR TENTH GRADE.
MY NINTH GRADE CLASS, WE HAD THE -- WHAT DO YOU CALL THOSE?
THE DIGITAL WHITE BOARDS.
WE HAD TVs IN TEACH CLASSROOMS, BIG FLAT SCREEN TVs IN EACH CLASSROOM THAT GAVE US OUR DAILY NEWS AND ALL OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE DAY.
>> RIGHT.
>> WE HAD EVERYTHING.
IF I WANTED TO BE IN A CLUB FOR LIGHTBULBS, I COULD BE IN A LIGHTBULB CLUB.
>> LITERALLY, LITERALLY.
>> AND I COME DOWN HERE AND I´M USING THE SAME BOOKS MY PARENTS WERE USING.
>> RIGHT.
>> WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO?
>> I WENT TO CHARLOTTE.
>> OKAY.
>> I´M NOT PUTTING ANYBODY ON THE SPOT.
ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE OUTDATED.
>> RIGHT.
>> THEY HAD TO CONDEMN THE BUILDINGS AFTER THE HURRICANE.
YOU KNOW -- >> THE 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDING.
>> CORRECT.
>> WE HAVE BEEN FAR BEHIND WAY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.
>> EVEN FURTHER.
>> NOW WE´RE EVEN FURTHER BEHIND TRYING TO CATCH UP.
I´M REALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN DO WE BEGIN TO INTEGRATE OTHER OPTIONS.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ACCREDITATION.
>> RIGHT.
>> I KNOW WE HAVE TO CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, THAT WE´RE A TERRITORY OF THE U.S. WE´RE UNDER FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND FUNDING AND ET CETERA.
I GET IT.
>> RIGHT.
>> BUT WE -- >> SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
>> SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN.
WE ARE ON OUR OWN IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS.
WHY ARE WE NOT TAKING OUR EDUCATION.
>> RIGHT.
>> INTO OUR OWN HANDS.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> THAT´S ONE OF THE SAD PARTS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT THE STUDENTS OF TODAY ARE GOING TO BE THE DECISION MAKERS OF TOMORROW.
YOU KNOW?
LIKE WE´RE GOING TO BE ALIVE IN THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS WHEN THESE KIDS ARE 25 TO 30 AND 35 AND THEY´RE GOING TO BE IN GOVERNMENT POSITIONS AND THEY´RE GOING TO BE SENATORS AND THEY´RE GOING TO BE WHATEVER.
AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT AT 35?
>> I MEAN -- >> EXACTLY.
>> I GET WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
SO, LIKE, SENDING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SOCIALIZATION PURPOSES IS KIND OF A FACADE BECAUSE THEY´RE HAVING TO SIT BEHIND THESE PLEXIGLASSES FOR EIGHT HOURS WITH THEIR MASKS ON.
SENDING MY KID TO DO THAT.
>> I DON´T BLAME YOU.
>> YEAH, YEAH.
>> I KNOW.
AND THEN EVEN LIKE CERTAIN RECREATIONAL CLUBS, THOSE ARE DOWN AS WELL RIGHT NOW.
THE WHOLE THING IS JUST A MESS.
IT IS A TOTAL MESS.
BUT I DO THINK THAT WHEN -- WHEN WE START TO GET TO A NEW NORMAL AND WE GET TO A CLOSE WHERE THINGS ARE REOPEN AND SCHOOLS ARE REOPEN SAFELY, THEN WE REALLY HAVE TO SUPPORT, AND I SAY THAT WORD LIKE I USE THAT WORD VERY STRONGLY, WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THE KIDS THAT ARE STRUGGLING ALONG.
WE CAN´T JUST HAVE LIKE A CLEAR, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU DIDN´T PRACTICE.
WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THEM AND HELP THEM ALONG THE WAY.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT SO MUCH.
EVEN IF YOU FEEL LIKE MAYBE, YOU KNOW, MRS. THOMAS MENTIONED, SHE SAID SOME OF THESE PARENTS ARE HINDERING THEIR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY´RE DOING THE WORK FOR THEM.
>> YEAH.
>> OR THEY´RE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE A SKILL THAT THEY DON´T ACTUALLY HAVE.
>> RIGHT.
>> SO THEY´RE HINDERING THEIR CHILDREN.
I GET IT.
SOMETIMES THESE PARENTS ARE TIRED.
SOMETIMES THESE PARENTS ARE WORKING TWO AND THREE JOBS.
>> THEY HAVE MULTIPLE CHILDREN.
YOU GET HOME AND FOUR KIDS ARE TELLING YOU, LOOK AT MY ASSIGNMENT.
>> THEY DON´T HAVE THE TIME, THE ENERGY OR THE RESOURCES TO BRING SOMEONE ELSE IN TO HELP THEM.
SO I GET IT.
IT IS A HINDRANCE TO THEIR CHILD BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THIS CHILD IS AT AND HOW TO HELP THEM.
>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY.
>> BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO?
>> WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS, RIGHT.
>> DO YOU THINK THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?
>> I THINK THERE IS.
OKAY.
IS THIS LIGHT OPERATED BY WABA?
>> OH, GOSH.
IT MIGHT BE OUT.
>> IT MIGHT BE OUT.
I JUST THINK THAT WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD.
WE HAVE A VERY LONG ROAD AHEAD.
AND WE HAVE TO THROW RESOURCES AT THEM.
YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM ACCESS.
YOU HAVE TO HELP THEM ALONG.
THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT.
>> AND I JUST WANT TO ADD IN THERE FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE MILLENNIALS, IT´S OUR TURN.
IT´S OUR TURN.
NOT THE GENERATION BEFORE US.
IT IS OUR TURN.
WE HAVE TO BE THE ONES THAT ARE IMPLEMENTING THESE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND FACILITATING THESE ENVIRONMENTS, FACILITATING A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS A SAFETY NET AND A CATAPULT TO OUR FUTURE.
IT´S OUR TURN.
SO I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT UP THERE.
WE CAN´T EXPECT ANYONE ELSE TO DO IT.
WE CAN´T EXPECT ANYONE ELSE TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN.
WE CAN´T EXPECT NO ONE FROM AMERICA TO COME DOWN AND SAY, OH, YOU GUYS NEED THIS.
NO, NO.
WE HAVE TO DO IT.
>> RIGHT.
WE HAVE TO DO IT AND WE HAVE TO CENTER OUR KIDS.
WE HAVE TO HELP THEM ALONG.
YOU´RE RIGHT.
IT IS IN THE HANDS OF MILLENNIALS.
THIS IS FOR US TO DO.
>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.
IT´S TOTALLY FRUSTRATING.
YOU KNOW, I REALLY -- IT HURTS ME TO KNOW THAT NOT EVEN, LIKE YOU SAID, THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, THE CHILDREN DON´T HAVE AN OUTLET EVEN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL WHERE THEY COULD SAY, OKAY, LET ME GET OFF THIS COMPUTER AFTER ALL THESE HOURS.
LET ME GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND I´M GOING TO GO TO BASEBALL PRACTICE.
I´M GOING TO GO TO THIS.
I´M GOING TO GO TO THAT.
>> RIGHT.
>> UNLESS YOU HAVE THE BIG BUCKS TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE STILL RUNNING REMOTELY.
>> YEAH.
WHICH MANY DON´T.
>> WHICH MANY OF US DON´T, EXACTLY.
THE SOLUTIONS ARE GOING FROM EIGHT HOURS ON THE COMPUTER TO ANOTHER HOWEVER LONG -- HOWEVER MANY HOURS ON THE COMPUTER PLAYING THEIR GAMES.
>> ON THE iPAD OR PHONE OR WHATEVER DEVICES THEY HAVE.
>> EXACTLY.
EVERYTHING IS DIGITAL.
>> NOTHING IS BALANCED RIGHT NOW.
THAT´S THE BIGGEST PART.
>> I AM SO QUICK TO TELL MYSELF, GET OFF THAT COMPUTER.
GO OUTSIDE.
>> RIGHT.
I REFUSE TO BUY MY SON A TABLET BECAUSE HE´S TOO YOUNG.
I SAID, HE NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT THE GRASS FIRST.
FINALLY SOMEONE JUST BOUGHT IT AND NOW HE HAS IT AND I´M LIKE -- >> YEAH, YEAH.
>> THAT´S NOT RIGHT.
>> THAT WAS MY SON´S GRANDMOTHER.
I WOULD TRY MY BEST.
I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO KEEP HIM AWAY FROM TECHNOLOGY.
UHN-UHN.
DIDN´T WORK OUT.
DIDN´T WORK OUT.
>> ALL COMES FROM LOVE THOUGH.
>> YEAH.
SO DO YOU THINK, COMING FROM A SITUATION LIKE THIS, LIKE SAY A SENIOR, WHAT DO YOU THINK GOING INTO COLLEGE WILL LOOK LIKE?
>> YEAH, EXACTLY.
THAT WILL BE HELL FOR A LOT OF THESE SCHOOLS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO A TOP TIER OR IVY LEAGUE.
THAT´S SERIOUS.
WE ARE ALREADY PLACED IN A POSITION OF BEING AN OTHER COMING FROM THE CARIBBEAN AND HAVING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE TO THOSE ON THE MAINLAND.
BUT EVEN MORE SO NOW BECAUSE YOU DID VIRTUAL LEARNING AND NOW YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM AT THIS STANDARD.
>> EXACTLY.
WELL, WE DO HAVE TO CLOSE OUT NOW, UNFORTUNATELY.
THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION, THOUGH.
>> IT WAS.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO SIGN OFF, BUT WE´LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER RELEVANT CONVERSATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT TUNED IN TODAY.
AS ALWAYS, WE WANT TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING ON THE WTJX FACEBOOK PAGE.
HIT US IN THE COMMENTS.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU THINK YOU CAN DO FOR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
AND DON´T FORGET TO USE THE HASHTAG.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, SEE YOU LATER.
♫♫ >>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.
>> BACK WITH MORE CONVERSATION AND MORE FUN.
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