© 2024 WNIJ and WNIU
Northern Public Radio
801 N 1st St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-9000
Northern Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'At Least Masks Keep Markers Out Of Their Mouths': A Guide To Teaching Pandemic Kindergarten | Teachers' Lounge Podcast

Peter Medlin

On a new Teachers’ Lounge, we have Sarah Schneider! She’s a kindergarten teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School in DeKalb.

How do you teach dozens of kindergarteners when some are remote and some are in-person? At the same time?? From goofy video background to real social-emotional struggles -- as you can imagine, It’s pretty tough. They even took her fun classroom rug and mini-trampoline due to social distancing and cleaning protocols. Well, hey, at least the masks stop them from putting pencils and markers in their mouth.

But Sarah talks us through how she went to bat for her students and got them the resources and support they needed – even in a year when it was harder than ever to do that. We also hear about her journey from a graduating class of around 30 kids to becoming a teacher herself.

Have you had an awesome teacher, coach or professor that inspired you who deserves a spotlight? Send your nominations to teacherslounge@niu.edu. While you're there, tell us about an education story or topic we should cover on the podcast. Also, subscribe to us and leave a rating wherever it is you listen to the show!

SHOW NOTES

Educator in this episode: Sarah Schneider

Stories featured in this episode:

Gov. Pritzker Announces Mask Mandate In Schools

USWNT Soccer Star Casey Krueger's Northern Illinois Roots & Journey To The Olympics

Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's own Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.

Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show! Also, send us your topic recommendations: teacherslounge@niu.edu

Peter joins WNIJ as a graduate of North Central College. He is a native of Sandwich, Illinois.