Back-to-School With Remote Education

Is Virtual Teaching Still Important? 

Virtual learning will not leave schools anytime soon. Between constant technological advancements and the ever-worsening teacher shortage, the best way to ensure students across the United States have access to high-quality education is through synchronous learning.

Virtual teaching may have grown in importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has existed for much longer. Proximity Learning has been bringing virtual teachers to brick-and-mortar classrooms since 2009. When school districts across the country can’t find teaching to fill positions, tens of thousands of students face lasting impacts on their education. To help fill these gaps, Proximity Learning places a live online teacher in classrooms across the country. By connecting remote teachers, students are guaranteed a certified educator and a whole team of support staff to ensure quality education. 

Our virtual teachers go through training for virtual classrooms and have a facilitator in person to support their lessons and enforce classroom rules. Our expertise in flexibility and meshing to existing curriculums means the students get to remain in their other classes in the brick-and-mortar school, facing the least amount of disruption to learning possible. 

Our proven track record of seamlessly integrating into in-person schools and supporting students makes us strong in the fight against asynchronous learning. Proximity Learning and our virtual teachers are ready to start another school year. 

How Do Teachers Prepare for the New School Year in a Virtual Setting?

Proximity Learning’s virtual teachers know what it’s like to start a new school year in person, but many of those techniques don’t translate to virtual instruction. Often, our teachers need to work together and find new ways to connect with their students, and parents, and make sure they have a successful school year. Kristel Koukoua has been teaching virtually with Proximity Learning for 2 years and has picked up a few tips and tricks for ensuring a good school year. 

As an English, Spanish, and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, she needs to know the writing level, English understanding, and communication preferences of her students. She explains, “I have them all start with a kind of self-reflective module that also helps them learn the digital tools that we use for my classes [and] how to navigate [them].” This project gives her students the chance to practice the tools they will use for the rest of the school year without the pressure of an assignment. They have an opportunity to introduce themselves and share how they learn, whether they prefer art, history, math, or science. And the best part? Ms. Koukoua does it too! Her students get to know her at the same time she gets to know them. 

What Digital Tools Exist for Virtual Teachers?

Back-to-school season presents a unique set of challenges for virtual teachers. Unlike traditional classrooms, the virtual setting comes with many unknowns, making planning and execution more complex. Ms. Koukoua, an experienced virtual teacher, shared her approach: "In a traditional classroom, I'd plan everything meticulously, but it often wouldn't go as expected. Now, I save key materials in my Canvas Course Sandboxes at the end of each school year and spend the summer tweaking them to make them more effective for the upcoming classes." This preparation isn't just about content; it's about adapting to the unique dynamics of each new class. "When you get into the actual classes, there are always things to adjust. Some classes need more support, more visual aids, things like that," Ms. Koukoua explains. This flexibility is essential to meeting the diverse needs of students.

Collaboration is another vital tool in a virtual teacher's toolkit. Ms. Koukoua emphasizes the importance of exchanging ideas and strategies with colleagues, saying, "I like to collaborate with other colleagues to find out what they're doing to set up." This collaborative spirit not only fosters innovation but also helps prevent burnout by keeping teachers motivated and inspired. 

For those new to virtual teaching or transitioning from traditional classrooms, her key advice is to stay flexible and open to change. The virtual environment may demand more adjustments, but it also offers exciting opportunities to innovate and tailor learning experiences to better suit each student's needs.

As summer draws to a close, virtual teachers face the challenge of transitioning back to a structured schedule. Dion Lucas, an educator with 20 years of experience, acknowledges that returning to early wake-up calls after a relaxing summer can be a bit jarring, but she sees it as a necessary part of gearing up for another successful year. She knows the benefits of teaching virtually—like flexibility and access to innovative tools—make her job rewarding. Additionally, the support she receives from the PLI team allows her to focus on student learning rather than worrying about technology or scheduling issues.

For seasoned educators, the back-to-school season is about re-engaging with their accumulated expertise and hitting the ground running. By leveraging these strategies, virtual teachers can effectively navigate the challenges of the new school year and continue to provide high-quality education to their students.

How Can I Build a Classroom Community Online?

Building rapport and fostering a sense of community in virtual classrooms is essential for student engagement and success, especially in a remote setting where nonverbal communication like body language is harder to read. Virtual teachers need to prioritize early connection with both their students and their in-class facilitator to establish these relationships.

To help students feel more connected, Ms. Koukoua employs a variety of strategies tailored to the virtual environment. "I create tutorial videos and an introductory video about myself," she shares. "I also provide a checklist on how to succeed in a virtual classroom, helping students bridge the gap between in-person and online learning." However, she notes that one of the biggest challenges is managing days without a teacher’s assistant. “Teaching blindly is so frustrating and difficult,” she explains. “When I can't even get to the table with them, it's really quite difficult.” At Proximity Learning, our Client Success team is committed to ensuring that teachers receive the support they need, including having a reliable facilitator in the classroom.

Similarly, Ms. Lucas highlights the unique challenges of connecting with students in a virtual setting. Her key strategy involves utilizing webcam interactions and encouraging students to keep their cameras on, which helps to make eye contact and foster engagement. Kickoff seminars and professional development opportunities provided by Proximity Learning are also vital in equipping teachers with the tools and confidence to start the school year successfully.

Leveraging these strategies, virtual teachers can create a supportive, engaging learning environment that closely mirrors the community feel of a traditional classroom.

What are the Best First Day of Virtual School Activities?

The first day in a virtual classroom is crucial for setting the tone for the entire school year. It’s an opportunity to establish a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable and excited to learn. As a virtual teacher, starting the day with a warm introduction is key. A great way to do this is by sharing a ‘get-to-know-me’ video, which helps students feel connected to their new instructor right from the start.

Introducing digital tools like Canvas and Zoom with engaging activities also helps ease students into the virtual setting. Icebreakers and introductory projects, such as an identity project, allow students to express themselves and get acquainted with their peers. For example, Kristel Koukoua often starts with her own identity project, walking students through each step to ensure they understand the task and feel confident participating.

To keep students engaged and build a sense of community, Ms. Koukoua incorporates interactive tools where students can share videos, memes, and images. This approach not only makes the learning process fun but also allows for both public and small group interactions, catering to different comfort levels.

Similarly, Dion Lucas finds creative ways to connect with her students. She invites them to share fun facts, like birthdays or favorite songs, and even curates playlists based on their music preferences. These activities not only make the virtual classroom more enjoyable but also show students that their interests are valued.

By blending personal touches with clear instructions, you can transform the first day in a nontraditional classroom into the foundation for a supportive and engaging learning environment.

How Do You Accommodate Diverse Learning Styles in Online Classrooms?

Adapting to different learning styles in a virtual setting can be challenging but is an essential skill virtual teachers learn. Ms. Koukoua shared, "I like to use a variety of tools to accommodate different learning styles. Nearpod is great for interactive lessons, and Padlet allows for diverse forms of student expression."Using platforms designed to partner with virtual learning and keep students engaged is a great way to keep students on track. 

Ms. Koukoua uses specific resources to support diverse learners. "I'm excited about the ESL coach position and the Nearpod English Language Learner library. It provides the necessary support while allowing mainstream class students to receive the same assignments." This way her students who are excelling don’t feel held back and bored and her students who need more support can get it.

Ms. Koukoua also emphasizes the importance of flexible lesson planning. By setting up her courses with both tangible and digital materials, she ensures that all students, regardless of their learning style, have access to the content in a way that suits them best. Additionally, she regularly collaborates with colleagues to share best practices and gather new ideas, ensuring that her teaching methods remain effective, inclusive, and up-to-date.

How Can Parents  Support Students’ Success at Home?

Parental support is essential in ensuring students thrive in a nontraditional learning environment, such as virtual classrooms. As virtual teachers, they know that classroom success is closely tied to the involvement and cooperation of parents at home. 

Ms. Koukoua emphasizes the importance of establishing positive communication with parents from the very beginning. "I send out a parent email or letter at the beginning of the year," she explains. "I always start with positive contacts and praise what the student is doing well." By initiating this positive relationship, parents feel assured that we are all on the same team, working together to support their child’s success. This foundation makes it easier to address any challenges that may arise during the school year, as parents understand our shared commitment to their child's education.

For parents, creating a conducive learning environment at home is key to their child's success. Setting up a dedicated learning space that is quiet, organized, and free from distractions can significantly enhance a student's focus and productivity. Additionally, staying involved in their child's education by regularly communicating with the teacher helps ensure that the student remains on the right track. Regular check-ins, attending virtual parent-teacher conferences, and reviewing their child's progress are all ways parents can stay engaged.

As virtual educators, encouraging parents to take these steps not only supports our students but also strengthens the partnership between home and school. When parents and teachers collaborate effectively, students are more likely to succeed in the virtual learning environment.

How Does This Help Me? 

Setting both teachers and students up for success this fall is critical to the continuation of effective virtual learning. Kristel Koukoua's insights highlight the importance of connection. Dion Lucas expressed her excitement about connecting with students and continuing to learn and grow professionally. With ongoing professional development and support from organizations like the National Virtual Teacher Association, educators are eager to embrace new opportunities and innovations in virtual teaching.

Despite the challenges, virtual teachers look forward to the new school year with enthusiasm. The role of virtual teachers is crucial in ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or learning style, has the opportunity to succeed. Schools and parents should embrace virtual teaching as a viable and effective option, recognizing its potential to meet diverse educational needs and support student achievement.

We invite you to learn more about Proximity Learning and explore partnership opportunities that can enhance your teaching career. Visit our website for additional resources on teaching with us and contact information for further inquiries. Together, we can continue to innovate and improve the virtual learning experience for all students. Teach with Us Today!