A can of beans to solve my grandson’s math problem

This pandemic has certainly put a dagger in the art of teaching

by Maria Sparano

Someone once said to me that a true teacher inspires, encourages, nourishes and develops hidden potential you never knew you hand.

Today our children are blessed if they find a teacher that possess these qualities.

A dear colleague of mine passed away recently and I found myself reading inspirational messages from her former students.

These students still remember a teacher who has no longer been in their lives for over 20 years and yet they found the time to pay their respects.. I hope I am wrong when I say that, “they truly donot make them like that anymore ''.

This pandemic has certainly put a dagger in the art of teaching.

I have four beautiful grandchildren that are trying to maneuver this new age of learning in a virtual world.

I have seen first hand the hardships it has caused emotionally and physically, not only on them but friends and relatives.

Last night by grandson in grade 7 asked me if I could help him with an upcoming test in math on calculating surface area of cylinders and triangular prisms.

Although I am a retired teacher, I do not believe teachers ever retire, its in our blood. So, I jump at the chance to explain and simplify this understanding of new concepts.

I get my white board,markers, some samples of cyclinders (cans),triangles etc and I try to figure out what to use to help him understand.

What's app? Zoom?? video chat???

I begin the lesson, and I see a frustrated young boy on the other end trying to zoom in, “nonna I can't see what you are doing the paper is upsidedown” LOL, ok I say let me adjust the camera..my frustration sets in....and eventually his sets in...

I tell my grandson, “ Do not worry, nonna will make notes and come up tomorrow and explain”.

Next day, with my protection gear in hand, (mask, gloves, visor) and my notes I make my way to my student.....

After, taking a can of beans and labelling the top and bottom and removing the label, he was able to see that this can or cyclinder was simply made up of two circles and a rectangle.

We reviewed formulas for area of triangles and rectangles, worked on some problems re surface area of a triangular prisms and cylinders.

My grandson's frustration diminished and his confidence returned.

For him videos on line do not provide him with the instruction he needs, he is not focused enough to follow along, he does not have the maturity to stop the video when he does not understand and if he did , who would he ask for clarification?

My grandson like many other kids needs human contact and the need to physically see and manipulate concepts that are being discussed.

My heart is broken to see all that children have lost and missed....a pat on the back by a caring teacher, a smile to say your on the right track, the ability to see a person who believes you can....

Then, my grandson thanks me for the help and says, “Love you nonna, can you stay a few more minutes I have homework” .

No problem I respond, although; my glasses are fogged behind my visor and am finding it hard to breathe with my mask, we continue.

After being on line from 8:20 to 2:40 with a few breaks in between, I find it hard to understand why he is now being asked to complete these assignments on Science, math, religion etc, before class tomorrow.

He is biting at the bit to run outside, who would blame him.... I try to encourage him, “ok don't worry I will type in the answers for you and it will get done quickly.

Work that should have taken less than 45minutes turns into 90minutes...constant glitches hinder this child from filling in answers, disappearing work, restarting computer in hopes that all your work was not lost before he could submit!

Bless this grandson of mine for his patients last night, if he was not there I would have thrown that computer out the window.....

Thoughts and prayers with all those children who sit for hours in front of their computers without getting a pat on the back and a smile of encouragment.

I wonder what kids will remember and what kind words will be said about these virtual teachers.... and I am not referring to their ability to teach but the human contact that has been taken away from them, and maybe their chance to truly impact the life of a child....praying my grandchildren can soon return to a real world.....