Ever since 2020, life has seemed different. Especially schools. There’s new regulations and I want to understand what has changed since March 2020 to March 2021. How were adminstarters lives changed? The students as well? Does covid have a lasting effect on my education? These were all questions I got gratifying answers to.

In March 2020 schools had shut down for a year and then went to a hybrid model. After that we were lucky enough to have them open full time the following year. After they reopened we all immediately realized that things weren’t the same. Chromebooks weren’t just for distance learning but for full time learning. This also includes small things like wearing a mask and used to include separating desks in classrooms.

I had the privilege of interviewing the Superintendent/Principal of Jacoby Creek, Melanie Nannizzi. Jacoby Creek has Elementary and Middle School students. Before interviewing Mrs. Nannizzi I always wondered if technology was just a new part of learning in all classrooms? Even kindergarten because I am positive I did not use a computer when I was in kindergarten. I asked Mrs. Nannizzi, “How has the use of technology in classrooms increased or decreased since distant learning ended?” She replied with “The TK-6th grade classrooms and the use of technology has drastically decreased since distance learning ended…The kids really need to focus on putting

pencil to paper.” This helped me come to the conclusion that the students at a certain age group use less technology for the basis of using their motor skills. So, it seems at least for this school that since distance learning has ended, younger students use less technology and are going back to the basics. Seconding this theory, she followed up with, “In 7th and 8th grade the students still use technology daily, but this was true prior to distance learning.” This may or may not have a different outcome when it comes to high school, but for the most part it seems like the use of technology in schools is not a big impact or if it is, covid is not responsible.

I was researching online and I found an article about the impacts of covid and schools. I found the following quote interesting “Online learning has been disastrous for many, many children, whether because the screen is a barrier to building teacher-student relationships, or because they lack a strong internet signal or a quiet place to work” (POLITICO). This is an idea against distance learning but it helps support the idea that returning to school in person has had a positive effect on students.

Besides the use of technology, the jobs of staff at schools have been hugely impacted by covid. Mrs. Nannizzi helped me understand how her life has changed. “I have to assist with contract tracing so that we can ensure that students who have been exposed get tested and do not expose others. I also spend a lot of time coordinating with nurses and the laboratory that does the weekly PCR testing…Basically, my everyday work has become a lot more because I still have my superintendent/principal duties to do and I also run a COVID lab!” This was interesting to learn about since I know that Eureka High also has testing currently open as well. It seems to me that covid has made the staff’s lives harder by covid testing and contact tracing as well as their actual jobs. I know it was extremely difficult for the staff at EHS to create an individualized packet and timeline of when I could come back to school when I had covid, and I can’t imagine doing that for hundreds of students.

I know that the pandemic has taken a toll on my peers and myself including mental and physical health. Covid has added a new level of stress and anxiety onto everyone’s backs and especially onto the students and teachers. I know that when it comes to teacher’s they are always looking for academic growth but what about at this time? While in my interview I questioned, “How concerned are you with students' academic growth during this time?” She replied with “It is my job to be concerned with academic growth, but to be honest, right now I am more concerned about social emotional health.” I feel that this makes sense. As it will always be teachers and administrators' jobs to worry about academic growth, emotional health is something extremely overlooked. I think that over half of the schools would agree that covid has affected students ability to learn and to process information. It has also stunted some academic growth.

I know that I have been happy to return to school to take place in events that I wasn't able to previously take part in. During my interview I learned that Mrs. Nannizzi also realized that with her students of all ages. I stated, “What are you most proud of that your school district has done successfully?” She quickly answered with “I am so proud of so many things. Mostly I am happy to see that we are still pulling off the fun stuff that makes kids enjoy school…I am proud that kids still love school and are happy to be there learning even if they have to wear a mask, take COVID tests, and stay distanced from friends.” I feel that this means students are more excited about schools since they reopened. This is definitely a positive outcome of covid.

The world is constantly evolving, however schools are one of the only things that hasn’t changed. Covid may have impacted new regulations however it doesn't seem like too much has changed in classrooms. Only the mindset of people and the new jobs that are taken on. The significance of learning about the impact of covid is schools is to help me understand what's going on in my life and others. The past almost three years have been uncharted territory for the world and I think now I have a better understanding of what schools open currently mean to me.