October 24, 2020

The pandemic has forced educators to re-evaluate everything they do. And that’s a good thing, according to Dr. Scott Dill, Poplar Bluff R-I superintendent. “There are some tried and true practices that will stand the test of time and other things that will be burned away through the crucible we are passing,” he said. “We have become very agile and quick to adapt to a changing landscape.”...

Michael Shine Staff Writer
Kindergarten teacher Kellen Deffendall helps Richie Coffer with his backpack and school supplies on the first day of school Monday.
Kindergarten teacher Kellen Deffendall helps Richie Coffer with his backpack and school supplies on the first day of school Monday.DAR file/Paul Davis

The pandemic has forced educators to re-evaluate everything they do.

And that’s a good thing, according to Dr. Scott Dill, Poplar Bluff R-I superintendent.

“There are some tried and true practices that will stand the test of time and other things that will be burned away through the crucible we are passing,” he said. “We have become very agile and quick to adapt to a changing landscape.”

Educators are becoming more technology savvy, and better placed to meet learners where they are, regardless of circumstance, Dill believes.

It has been exhausting, but it is important to find positives, he said.

“I think we’ve all come to a deep appreciation of how much we miss everything we used to really complain about, our normal lives,” Dill said. “I think each of us would give significantly to have our old problems back, that is the unique perspective this crisis has afforded us.

“I think it’s changed in many ways, the way that people think about our lives. I’m grateful for that.”

After not returning to classes after spring break, administration with area schools say the current year has many challenges.

All three Butler County superintendents said educators are facing a challenge this year when it comes to addressing the time off students experienced.

Students experienced a five-month gap and missed the final quarter of the 2018-19 school year.

Return to learn

Every school district developed slightly different return-to-learn plans before starting classes in mid-August. However, they all have similarities.

Each district laid out three plans.

Under Plan A, it’s close to business as usual, but with stricter cleaning protocols and more social distancing in place.

With Plan B, the district would implement a hybrid system, where students are in different groups and attend school on opposite days. Students would have work to do at home on days when they’re not physically at school.

Plan B also usually includes additional measures, such as not holding assemblies.

However, with Plan C, students would return to a fully remote learning structure either through the internet or alternative methods of instruction.

These are not strict plans and most area districts are under Plan A, with some additional measures from Plan B.

Substitute teacher concerns

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued an emergency rule, which changed the requirements for substitute teachers to address concerns over a shortage of them.

Under this new rule, to qualify as a substitute, somebody needs to be 21 years old, have earned a high school diploma or equivalent and complete 22 hours of training.

Previously, to be a substitute, somebody needed to have 60 college hours, or about two years, completed.

Training is available online through the DESE website.

Dr. Scott Dill, Poplar Bluff R-I superintendent, said he’s thankful for DESE issuing the rule because it helps the district staff campuses to keep students in class.

Some substitutes, he said, are hesitant to come in because of COVID-19.

The list of substitutes with the Twin Rivers district, approved by the school board every month, is shorter than it was in March.

Neelyville R-IV Superintendent Debra Parish said the district uses a substitute agency out of Arkansas, but does also employ some of its own substitutes.

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