Summer school begins Monday, July 8
Gaston (left) and Penman (right)
Grade 8 ELA teacher and student
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
The text vignette below is from Myers ELA teacher Ashley Gaston. This story also includes a video perspective from Victoria Penman, one of Gaston's eighth-grade students.
“Teaching digitally has been a new and different experience for many of us educators. It is very difficult to be away from our students and not being able to be there for direct assistance and having everyone present and engaged. We, as teachers, miss our students very much and I am very thankful that we have the use of such great technology at such a difficult time.
"Some of the things I enjoy about teaching digitally are having access to technology, the ability to provide students exciting and engaging work, and new ways to research and collaborate. We are very fortunate to live during a time where we can use Google Meet to interact with students in real time and still see their smiling faces! I am so happy to meet with my students during my office hours, and some pop in for extra work and even just to chat and get some social interaction for the day. We don't always get this opportunity during normal school, so I am grateful for this new experience because it really helps to build relationships and better support our students.
"During this time, it is incredibly important to me that I check in with students and families and make sure they are taken care of – academically and social-emotionally. I know this has been a main priority for the district, and it makes me proud to be a teacher in Albany. I am very blessed to work with such an elite and collaborative group of teachers who have been working non-stop to ensure all our students' needs are met.
“Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School teachers are the most amazing educators and are proudly #allinforalbany."
You can watch the video below to hear from Victoria Penman, one of Gaston's eighth-grade students.
