Supporting K-12 Teachers during COVID-19: Observations for Environmental Education Providers
Teachers are gearing up for another schoolyear of distance learning. How can we as environmental educators support K-12 teachers as they navigate the barriers of COVID-19? One way to do so is by providing quality content and varied strategies compatible with distance learning (that is advertised as such). According to a survey done by Project WET in April 2020, 61% of respondents had received no training on conducting distance learning and 60% created their own distance learning curriculum in the spring of 2020 in response to COVID-19. Environmental education organizations can help fill this gap with online resources which can continue to be used long after social distancing is lifted.
The Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) recently surveyed K-12 and non-formal educators about their needs and preferences surrounding professional development. The survey was conducted before major COVID-19 impacts began and the reveal preferences for professional development even more applicable now as environmental education organizations focus on adapting programming for the upcoming school year.