COLUMBUS, Ohio — Parents are holding their breath, as they watch and wait to see what happens on the first day of remote learning and beyond in Columbus City Schools, while Columbus Education Association members strike.
What You Need To Know
- Some are concerned about whether kids will actually learn from the curriculum presented by substitute teachers
- Ashlee Sawyer, a parent, said her 17-year-old daughter’s anxiety spiked when the teachers went on strike
- Sawyer is also concerned that the strike may trigger Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures or PNES, something her daughter was diagnosed with during the pandemic
Ashlee Sawyer said she’s concerned about the curriculum, the use of substitute teachers and whether kids will actually learn or fall behind.
“And then when they decide to come to an agreement on things and go back to normal, are they going to bombard these kids with work which is going to be another trigger?… cause she’s gonna feel overwhelmed because she has to play catch-up,” said Sawyer.
She noted that while all three of her girls aren’t behind, they “Really didn’t thrive with virtual learning. They’re more hands on.”
Once her senior was diagnosed with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), she said things went downhill. PNES episodes resemble epileptic seizures, but do not have a neurologic origin. They are instead a psychological distress response.
Being quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic and learning online “was another trigger for her because she went from being a straight ‘A’ student to things are not clicking…. and she was upset with herself,” said Sawyer.
Ultimately, Sawyer said if push comes to shove, she’ll make sure her kids are present for virtual learning, but her message to them will simply be to try their best and make the effort, since she knows they learn better in person with hands-on interaction versus virtually.
Until then, she’s hoping the strike doesn’t last so long that kids get relaxed at home. Just in case, Sawyer plans to face time and check in throughout the day to make sure her kids are logging in and getting work done.