Teachers of Pittsburgh: Modern Day Superheroes
When you think of superheroes, characters like Spiderman and Iron Man come to mind. In today’s modern world, however, teachers are becoming your child’s superhero. I’m sure many of us had a favorite teacher growing up. Virtual learning is new to all of us, especially the parents who had to teach their children during lockdown—not so easy right? Teachers have had to reimagine the way they teach to keep children safe, motivated, and connected. They have battled and conquered these barriers placed between their students and them, coming to the rescue to make sure they stay on track. Let’s speak with some Pittsburgh teachers, learning a bit more about them, and see what teaching during a pandemic is like.
Source: National Education Association
We will be getting to know Pittsburgh public school teachers Brittany LeFebvre (Special Education), Nicki Lockwich (Grades 9 & 10), Amy Villa (1st Grade), and Cheree Charmello Andrews (Grades 7 & 8), who are all teaching remotely. Also, private Catholic school teacher Danielle Sgro (Pre-school) teaches in-person and remotely.
Although all of us here may not be teachers, there is one thing we can all relate to: nostalgia. I’m sure throughout years of schooling, your favorite teacher made an impact in your life in some way. I know I’ve had a couple of teachers that have made a large impact on me. Nostalgia can connect us socially and makes us more empathetic towards others. Many teachers who decided to go down this career path also feel this. They were influenced by their teachers growing up and decided they wanted to make the same impact.
Pittsburgh public school teacher, Brittany LeFebvre, said she became a teacher because “It's really the only thing I wanted to be. My first-grade teacher (who I still talk to) was the absolute best.”
Another Pittsburgh Public School teacher, Amy Villa, was influenced at a young age stating, “My father was a teacher. I loved watching him grade papers from a very young age. When my friends had my dad as their teacher they loved him. I wanted to be just like my dad. I was influenced by many of my teachers.”
She continues, “My fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Weber, was kind, funny, and strict. The students loved her, had fun with her, and respected her, all at the same time. My Chemistry teacher in high school, Mr. Schwelm, had similar qualities. He made learning fun and meaningful. I chose to major in Chemical Engineering at Penn State because of him. I quickly realized that I loved Mr. Schwelm, not Chemistry. That is what a good teacher can do, make you love a subject through their own excitement for the content being taught.”
Amidst a worldwide pandemic occurring, which has changed so many things in our everyday lives, the way students learn has changed to a great degree. Many teachers are experiencing teaching nostalgia—the longing to be back in the classroom, teaching hands-on with their students, seeing their co-workers, and going back to their familiar routines. This is something so unachievable right now as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Pittsburgh.
Many schools have been teaching remotely since March of 2020. This has been challenging for both students and teachers. When asked how challenging school has been for their students, Pittsburgh public school teacher Cheree Charmello Andrews, who teaches 7th and 8th grade remotely said, “Many kids are okay. Those who are okay tend to be the academics that really enjoy learning. Some kids, though, are lonely, isolated. They feel unmotivated to learn because they thrived on the socialization that school provided. A few are truly depressed and losing interest in all things. Frightening, considering how little access to the help they have—no nurse or counselor down the hall!”
Living in a world of uncertainty can make people feel off during these trying times. Many subjects are much harder to teach and learn remotely as well. Pittsburgh public school teacher Nicki Lockwich, who teaches 9th and 10th grade, said, “It is very hard with my 9th graders since I don't know them at all, but it is a little easier with my 10th (since I had them last year). Overall, teaching math online is harder than other subjects because of how they have to show work. It is unlike other content areas where they can just simply type answers.” This has been an obstacle she has had to try and overcome while teaching remotely.
Across all age groups, students are either adapting to these unique situations or failing to do so, resulting in students sometimes falling behind. Students’ spirits are low, many feeling unmotivated, lonely, and struggling to get into a new routine. Private Catholic school teacher Danielle Sgro, who teaches pre-school in-person said, “Yes. They are excelling! I am grateful these kids have the opportunity to learn in person during these times, especially at such a young age where their journey of school is beginning.”
Her school is one of the few schools teaching in-person right now in Pittsburgh. It goes to show that many kids are in need of in-person, hands-on learning in order to excel in their studies. Amy Villa, a 1st-grade teacher said, “I believe that some students with a lot of parent support are keeping up. I don't believe anyone is excelling. Although some are doing well academically, they are not learning the interaction and social-emotional skills that will help them in the future years of school.”
Many other life skills are taught in school that kids are missing out on during these times. Their family situations also play a large role in their ability to excel and do their school work. Students are dealing with so many emotions. Teacher Cheree Charmello Andrews said, “One of the hardest parts about all of this is probably not crying. Seriously. I like to learn, so the new technology was fun for me to learn, however, I hurt for the kids that are struggling—I often have to mute myself so they don’t hear me choking on my words when they say sad things.”
This topic relates to the achievement gap. For those who may not know, the achievement gap is the difference in academic performance between groups of students. Online learning has distinguished the groups of students that are being negatively affected by the pandemic. Income, class, and home life are all factors in this. Teacher Amy Villa takes a deep dive into the effects of the achievement gap stating, “The pandemic is going to have long term effects on the achievement gap. Students that did not have a lot of support before most likely have even less during the pandemic. Students with parents that could afford to take off work, hire tutors, sit with their kids each day, have learned. Students, who by no fault of their own, with parents that had to work, or had multiple kids, or with not a lot of education themselves, will cause the gap to widen. These students will need some very fast and effective interventions. Once a student starts behind it is difficult to catch up… We will have a whole new category of students in the achievement gap—the COVID Students.”
Source: YouTube
There will be a time when things begin to settle down and everyone will be attempting to go back to their normal routines. Teachers will be going to their school building to teach their students in person. Many students may have a hard time adapting, potentially for the first time if they are at a young age. In regards to her students adapting when this occurs, Brittany LeFebvre said, “I think it will be a lot of catch up. I'd imagine the first few days or so would be difficult with behaviors, given the excitement.”
Similarly, Cheree Charmello Andrews stated, “For some [it will be difficult]. Particularly those who have social anxiety. Many will be elated. It will be a noisy few weeks, I’m sure!” The one common factor among these two responses was that many students will be excited to come back to school. At first, it will feel odd for many and school will be happening at a rapid pace. But, students will gain back their sense of purpose, comfort, and home away from home.
Remote teaching has made teachers go above and beyond to ensure their students are still getting the same level of education that they would be in the classroom. Working overtime, putting in countless hours of planning to adapt their lessons to these new ways of schooling. When discussing this topic with teacher Nicki Lockwich, she said, “I am working a million times harder and many more hours. Not only am I trying to teach content, but also try to troubleshoot tech issues and deal with the countless issues that come up almost daily with the learning platforms we are using.”
There also seems to be no actual timeframe of work and no boundaries. Teacher Amy Villa’s response relates to this statement well, “Yes, I am working longer hours. Because we are virtual, some families think teachers work all hours of the day and night. I get parent emails on weekends and evenings. I find myself writing lessons at night, watching YouTube videos to learn about new student-friendly websites, setting up my online learning platform. The school day never seems to end when you are virtual.”
Teachers are role models, support systems, family, therapist, etc. The roles they take on surpass the classroom environment. Think of a time a teacher of yours helped you in a way that was outside your English homework. It could be as simple as making you laugh when they can tell you’re having a bad day. No matter what your background may be, teachers are there for their students.
Teacher Amy Villa had a sweet story to tell about going above and beyond for one of her students. She said, “Some of my students do not have supplies. I have used my own money to buy supplies. I have driven to students’ houses to drop off supplies. Because my students come from different neighborhoods within our city, it takes hours to deliver paper packets and supplies to students’ houses each month. When a student ran out of pencils and was using a crayon. I drove to her house the next day with a box of pencils. I have been a counselor for students that are stressed, and a good listener for students that have no contact with adults other than those in their houses. The roles I take on are teacher, counselor, advisor, delivery person, cheerleader, parent support person, technology support, and confidant.”
Teacher Cheree Charmello Andrews also feels she takes on the many roles as she states, “Parent. Caregiver. Nurse. Therapist. Behavior specialist. Foodbank. Job trainer. Job and college application or recommendation writer. Scholarship finder. Cheering squad. Lunch lady. Club leader... We do so many things that go beyond writing a lesson, teaching it, and checking the work. It’s exhausting, actually.” Your teachers are constant throughout life. They are always there in times of need. They truly are superheroes.
Now you may be wondering, why would teachers want to go through all of this? Well, they all have their reasons! Most of the responses I received from Pittsburgh school teachers said their favorite part of the job was the kids they get to make connections with and instill the feeling that they are loved. They show students that they can be successful and they will be there every step of the way. Teaching is a draining and complicated job. The relationships teachers get to make with their students and the positive difference they get to make in the world can override all the downsides of teaching. Teachers take the place of your child’s favorite superhero in many aspects of life. Now, let’s all take a moment to call, text, email, or shoutout one of your favorite teachers and let them know they are appreciated.