Okla. Teachers Give Advice On Transitioning To Virtual Learning

Back to school is even more challenging for parents than usual this year.

Some are having to help their child learn completely or partially from their computer. These are also challenges teachers all over the country and in Oklahoma are dealing with. 

News 9 sat down with two Weatherford teachers to get some helpful advice for parents.

"We wouldn't do it if we didn't love it, that being said its stressful," said Meagan Merkey. 

Merkey wears a lot of hats for the district but also helps with fifth grade education. She along with early education teacher Becki Hubin said they're in the same boat as families when it comes to stress and not knowing how everything will work.

Hubin, once a full-time classroom teacher is now helping kindergarten through second graders in the district's virtual academy. She said she learned a lot creating virtual lesson plans to tutor kids over the summer.

"It worked," said Hubin. "I stepped out and did something I was uncomfortable with, but when you're a team and work together with the families and the kids it can work."

Administrators in Weatherford decided to provide students with two or three learning options depending on the grade. Staff are also trying to provide supplemental help to make sure their students are successful. 

 "Our support system has not only gone into here's the academic or the curriculum side of it, but it's like here's how we kind of teach at school," said Merkey.

There are even teachers available for tutoring.

When asked what these educators would recommend for children outside of their district who might be struggling, they had a couple of suggestions. 

"I would say first talk to your child. See as the parent what is really going on," said Hubin.

They also said you never know what resources teachers have until you ask. 

"They need to ask that teacher first and just be open and honest," said Merkey. 

Overall, the best advice the pair could offer is work as a team.