After an unconventional school year, students and teachers in Pinellas County Schools are celebrating their last day of school.
What You Need To Know
- Teachers, students spent year with masks, social distancing, at-home learning guidelines
- Both saw technology growth during the school year
- More Education headlines
- More Pinellas County headlines
Kaitlin Morris, a fourth-grade teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary School, started the school year fresh out of college.
She knew teaching during the pandemic would be a challenge.
"The first thing that comes into my head when I describe this year has been a learning experience," she said.
From handling students wearing masks, to social distancing and desks initially separated by partitions, Morris said she has tried to be a source of consistency and encouragement for her students.
"Getting creative with keeping routines in place and making sure I'm doing things that they recognize and are familiar with and then building on that," Morris said.
Meanwhile, Sean Hughes found himself building a new career.
Using the "Troops to Teachers" program, he transitioned from 21 years serving in the U.S. Navy to teaching middle school history and civics at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy.
"It's been rewarding and crazy times, but learning to give ourselves grace and pushing forward and seeing the little "wins" has been awesome," he said.
The year presented the highest learning curves students and staff have ever faced. In the technology arena, both students and staff had huge growth.
Morris and Hughes said with all things considered, the school year went well and they managed to have some fun.
Both said they're eager to continue teach and proud of themselves and their colleagues.
"Literally everybody I've talked to tells me if I can get through this as my first year, I can get through anything," said Morris.
"I don't even know how to put it into words. I am so thankful and to all my peers, enjoy your summer," said Hughes.