'Teachers, you are doing amazing': Shadydale teacher shares her classroom experience amidst the pandemic

Shadydale Elementary teacher Naketa Watts shared her wish as an educator to give students the best learning experience possible while caring for them holistically.

Watts, a second-year second-grade teacher at Shadydale Elementary has learned a lot since she first started teaching, a field that has become particularly challenging due to the various lockdowns and restrictions imposed during the pandemic. 

"I have learned how each student's learning needs will vary, and the importance of having an individual relationship with each student," Watts said. "Being the light in a child’s life will pour over into the classroom and will allow them to see the potential in themselves that they may have not known was there before."

Like many educators working through the COVID-19 pandemic, Watts has encountered a number of hurdles and setbacks brought on by remote learning and other restrictions put in place between teachers and students. For most teachers, the most important goal has been to close the gaps in education while still teaching the required material in new situations. 

"This pandemic has challenged educators and education in various ways," Watts said. "Students have fallen behind in their studies and this has caused a huge learning gap for many. The pandemic has also made it hard to have closer small groups and more interactive activities where we are able to share items that are important to teamwork abilities and building comradery. This has provided the opportunity to restructure the learning environment to emulate these same opportunities in a different format to keep students safe to continue in-person learning."

Driven by her desire to make a difference in the lives of her students, Watts has been able to overcome many of the challenges thrown at her. But for Watts, it's been her students' perseverance that has inspired her more than anything else. 

"As a reading teacher I have had to deal with many struggling students and now because of the pandemic, it has become common to have many struggling students in one classroom," Watts said. "Many students are not on the level and there are learning gaps that attribute to their struggles. Students become frustrated when they are struggling academically, and this can cause them to give up or act out. There are many ways to help a struggling student, this includes differentiating the material to meet students' learning needs."

For Watts, she says that the best way to support teachers and students alike is practice, feedback and volunteer work.

"Teachers, you are doing amazing!" she said. "Every day brings a new challenge but just know that we are leaving a long-lasting impression on our students. Showing up and giving 100% when dealing with our own personal life obstacles shows how dedicated and driven, we are."