User:DT243/sandbox

Positive
With the adaptation to virtual learning, some teachers have expressed a new appreciation for or validation in their profession. The pandemic has been seen as an opportunity to add levels of creativity and engagement to lesson plans. Teachers have also gained a greater sense of empathy for their students' home situations. Within the teaching community, there has been an increase in collaboration and support as they share online resources.

Negative
Over 30% of teachers and educational faculty are over the age of 50. This age group has been shown to be at a higher risk of contracting the disease, and therefore, possibly unknowingly carrying it home, particularly considering the lack of COVID-19 protections and testing available. This is a concern for teachers whose schools have reopened in person, primarily in the Southern United States. Another challenge, largely amongst older teachers, has been the difficult adaptation to online learning platforms. Surveys have reflected that teaching during the pandemic has caused many educators, specifically those with more experience and those who live in the South, to consider leaving the profession or retiring early. Regardless of age, teachers have also expressed difficulties connecting or maintaining positive relationships with students and parents through virtual learning.

Remote Learning
There is a lot of variation in educational plans across school districts. In lower income areas, kids are more likely to receive only paper resources instead of online instruction. Even within the category of remote learning, some schools require students to spend hours on video conferencing software, some rely heavily on asynchronous activities, and others use a mix of the two methods. However, these methods are not equally engaging and provide differing levels of interaction with teachers and classmates, which affects the students' learning and development. Another major change to education is reduced instructional minutes at many schools. Although the exact impact of this is cannot be determined yet, past analyses have shown that students benefit from longer school days with more instructional time. Other unique challenges associated with the pandemic are the inequitable access to technology and stable WiFi, and the fact that parents have to balance essentially homeschooling their kids with their other responsibilities. Both of these challenges disproportionately affect low-income families.