Teaching After the Pandemic: The New Normal

 

Day One of the 21-22 School Year

In a Hybrid Model Classroom

Where Virtual and In-Person students are taught as one.

 

I address the Virtual students,

Also known as The Zoomers.

Everyone gazes at a screen

While I attempt to engage, but

Nothing but black boxes stare at me.

Silence.

I type a question in chat.

No one responds.

 

I turn to the In-Person students.

“Class, today we will…

Thomas, stay in your square.

Now class…

Jan, stop twirling you’re your mask and put it back on.

Okay class…

Alice and Kate, you can’t sit next to one another and, no, you cannot share crayons.

Class…

Johnny, you cannot use the restroom until your assigned time.

Class…

BRRRING!

Um, class dismissed.”