Teaching During COVID

A tablet, tutors and something to eat

You’ve heard it said, “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” Well, that has truly been the occurrence with the After School Tutoring program throughout the pandemic. While the tutoring center has not had to completely close its doors, it has had to drastically reduce the number of student participants. Previously, the tutor nights were filled with students who came twice a week and were grouped by skill level to learn general subjects together. The rooms were surging with energy and children.

Due to the new COVID capacity regulations, however, the Peace Center had to scale back the volume of youth and be more conscious of bringing together household groups while keeping to appropriate numbers. Under the leadership of Pastor Stanish and Jen Janssen, the students with the greatest need are selected for tutoring once a week. Upon arrival, the children are fed a nourishing meal and are then directed, with their siblings, to a classroom for tutoring.

It is here that you will find the open windows. Every window in the building is opened, even if just a crack—to allow for fresh invigorating airflow through the rooms. Figurative windows have also been opening as many siblings are being instructed to tutor and assist one another with their homework. As the students are unable to come to AST twice a week, the volunteers encourage the older children to be resources to help their younger siblings succeed.

An “open window” experience

Another open window is that each student now has a tablet with all of their specific school assignments uploaded and available. This helps tutors know what to expect of the students so as to cater instruction to their individual needs. This is especially helpful with the middle and high school students seeking assistance with specific math problems, questions, and challenges. This opportunity for individualized tutoring has been extremely satisfying for both tutor and student and has led to some creative lessons.

A specific example involved a volunteer working with a student on science concepts. The words on the tablet’s screen were trying to convey how air has mass. It was an idea that just wasn’t making sense: “Is air even real?” the student asked. With memories of his own science classes, the volunteer turned a container into a pool of water, grabbed a cup full of air, and taught to the student’s direct questions from the standard homework lesson. Both volunteer and student ended tutor time feeling more knowledgeable and satisfied, while simultaneously deepening friendship and trust.

A modified schedule has been created to allow for a chapel service after tutor time. Students rotate to chapel with their household group, and volunteer tutors lead the service. Several men from Concordia Seminary, and a few of their wives who also serve as volunteer tutors, have been doing a wonderful job leading songs, Bible lessons, and prayers. With reduced numbers, the leaders have been able to engage in deeper conversations, as well as ask for specific prayer requests. This too has personalized the experience at the Peace Center, and we thank God for the unique opportunities, open windows, and His continuing presence among us.

By Amy Zeigler
Epiphany Lutheran Church