# data[].attributes.headline
I can relate to quite a few the most. I can relate to this challenge the most because during this short time of teaching, I've experienced things not always going as planned(lessons, internet-connection, etc.). With this being said, through thought and a lot of Prayer,  I always find a way to maneuver around the difficulties students have with self-discipline, uncertainty in work completion, lack of confidence in understanding school assignments, lack of technical interest in virtual classrooms, etcetera. - Toni D. Ingram 

# data[].attributes.subject
I can relate to quite a few the most. I can relate to this challenge the most because during this short time of teaching, I've experienced things not always going as planned(lessons, internet-connection, etc.). With this being said, through thought and a lot of Prayer,  I always find a way to maneuver around the difficulties students have with self-discipline, uncertainty in work completion, lack of confidence in understanding school assignments, lack of technical interest in virtual classrooms, etcetera. - Toni D. Ingram 

# data[].attributes.headline
Getting to know students is also one of my tops because I am really into developing a strong teacher-student bond. In my Specials class, I allow them to be themselves without being disruptive and even give them a little to do a little show and tell if they' re interested in sharing any personal artwork they've made, or present and play a little musical instrument to show to the class. I even let them express themselves and speak a little on how they feel and what they know. Sometimes, I'll even let them speak to each other a little bit and I'll respond to some of the chat responses as well. Making sure my kids are comfortable and able to enjoy learning is very important to me as a teacher. - Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.subject
Getting to know students is also one of my tops because I am really into developing a strong teacher-student bond. In my Specials class, I allow them to be themselves without being disruptive and even give them a little to do a little show and tell if they' re interested in sharing any personal artwork they've made, or present and play a little musical instrument to show to the class. I even let them express themselves and speak a little on how they feel and what they know. Sometimes, I'll even let them speak to each other a little bit and I'll respond to some of the chat responses as well. Making sure my kids are comfortable and able to enjoy learning is very important to me as a teacher. - Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.body
We have opportunities to invest in instructional technology. There are so many to choose from and we have to find what fits our learners. I selected this challenge because most of the top rated virtual resources omit Social Studies. I have become an expert with Nearpod and Everfi but I think we should find a medium, something that fits all. We all rely on different IT yet we teach the same kids. I find what I use to be effective and user friendly. I would like to see us uniform in regards to our IT as long as they include Social Studies.

# data[].attributes.headline
Finding the most effective technology for distance learning.

# data[].attributes.subject
Finding the most effective technology for distance learning.

# data[].attributes.body
The challenge that I can relate to is finding the most effective technology for distance learning. I can relate because there is so much technology out there and a good number of them are stating that they are the best but it is a matter of the actual numbers adding up. This challenge can be resolved in my class by researching the most effective technology according to the research and not just taking the providers word for it.

# data[].attributes.headline
I can relate to Challenge 4 by the fact of finding myself consistently trying to brainstorm different methods to improve student engagement and to help them learn a particular task or skill for the classroom. I am consistently using JamBoard and YouTube for my kids.-Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.subject
I can relate to Challenge 4 by the fact of finding myself consistently trying to brainstorm different methods to improve student engagement and to help them learn a particular task or skill for the classroom. I am consistently using JamBoard and YouTube for my kids.-Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.body
We have opportunities to invest in instructional technology. There are so many to choose from and we have to find what fits our learners. I selected this challenge because most of the top rated virtual resources omit Social Studies. I have become an expert with Nearpod and Everfi but I think we should find a medium, something that fits all. We all rely on different IT yet we teach the same kids. I find what I use to be effective and user friendly. I would like to see us uniform in regards to our IT as long as they include Social Studies.

# data[].attributes.headline
As a teacher who was also in student shoes before and still is in certain situations, I am very aware of the fact that lessons can not always hold a spark of interest, especially if they ones that you don't understand or find yourself consistently having to repeat over and over again. Another thing that I am aware of is age difference. This is why I like to add little gaming strategies, educational songs, Inspirational songs, and other types of things to inspire and keep students focus and motivated to complete their work. I also use YouTube a lot, which they are familiar with and even certain artists to grab their focus and see if they know anything about them or are learning about them, which adds on and works well with the lessons of the day. -Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.subject
As a teacher who was also in student shoes before and still is in certain situations, I am very aware of the fact that lessons can not always hold a spark of interest, especially if they ones that you don't understand or find yourself consistently having to repeat over and over again. Another thing that I am aware of is age difference. This is why I like to add little gaming strategies, educational songs, Inspirational songs, and other types of things to inspire and keep students focus and motivated to complete their work. I also use YouTube a lot, which they are familiar with and even certain artists to grab their focus and see if they know anything about them or are learning about them, which adds on and works well with the lessons of the day. -Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.body
Patricia Copeland-Poteat
I can relate to challenge Number 1, 5 & 6. Working with DES students in the virtual environment encompass all of these challenges.  An extra challenge is teaching to different grade level and a different subject at the same time. It requires a lot of planning and time management to meet the needs of both grade levels and different subjects.

# data[].attributes.body
I do not have access to infinite campus so I do not know which students have a learning disability. Also people do learn differently whether its visual or audible or both. I recognize that some students can not even read or spell correctly and this is 8th grade. I am giving very easy assignments and some can not even comprehend and execute that. In my opinion this challenge can be resolved by 1.  Having a list of the students names with the learning disability, 2. Have a DES teacher come to the class, 3. Some students just need to go back to in person learning, distance learning isn't for everyone and we can all see that by the attendance and grades so possibly there needs to be some type of requirements for virtual school 4. Also I guess we can take a poll and ask students what do think is their best way to learn
Thank you. Dr. Thomas

# data[].attributes.headline
Growing up learning different things in school and not understanding the information at the same pace with other students was very difficult, troubling and nerve racking for me as a child trying to pass her classes. The school staff starting noticing how I would struggle with grasping information and answer questions incorrectly to the point where they tried to diagnose me autistic. My dad said he observed me for a while and noticed that there wasn't anything wrong with me. In fact, he noticed I was a very intelligent little girl, I just struggled with receiving educational information. I even struggled in high school and felt like I was slow and sometimes incapable of learning. +:( All these hardships and difficulties are what Blessed me to be the kind-hearted caring teacher that I am today. I love my students and have a passion for their learning and understand their struggles even from a personal standpoint through experience of my own. This is why I can strongly  relate to Challenge 6 and this is why I love being a teacher. This might be my top relation before strongly relating to any other topic of challenge. -Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.subject
Growing up learning different things in school and not understanding the information at the same pace with other students was very difficult, troubling and nerve racking for me as a child trying to pass her classes. The school staff starting noticing how I would struggle with grasping information and answer questions incorrectly to the point where they tried to diagnose me autistic. My dad said he observed me for a while and noticed that there wasn't anything wrong with me. In fact, he noticed I was a very intelligent little girl, I just struggled with receiving educational information. I even struggled in high school and felt like I was slow and sometimes incapable of learning. +:( All these hardships and difficulties are what Blessed me to be the kind-hearted caring teacher that I am today. I love my students and have a passion for their learning and understand their struggles even from a personal standpoint through experience of my own. This is why I can strongly  relate to Challenge 6 and this is why I love being a teacher. This might be my top relation before strongly relating to any other topic of challenge. -Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.headline
I do enjoy posting little cute notes and announcing when I feel the need to help students learn the curriculum and get answer to what they need about class as well as parents. I enjoy keeping in touch with students and parents and making sure they have a clear understanding on what needs to be done. This is personally another reason why I can last, but not least, I can relate to this Challenge as well. Thank you all so much for reading this! Have A Blessed Day!- Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.subject
I do enjoy posting little cute notes and announcing when I feel the need to help students learn the curriculum and get answer to what they need about class as well as parents. I enjoy keeping in touch with students and parents and making sure they have a clear understanding on what needs to be done. This is personally another reason why I can last, but not least, I can relate to this Challenge as well. Thank you all so much for reading this! Have A Blessed Day!- Toni D. Ingram

# data[].attributes.body
It's usually the same students that participate when I ask questions. When following the lesson plans that were giving to me by the previous teacher which he says are state mandated, the students were not so engaged. They are doing other things in class definitely not focused. I don't blame them its boring to me as well. Its not interesting at all. I notice more participation when I ask things that are more interesting to their age group like what's going on with them personally. I believe this can be resolved by doing more research on what is engaging to 8th grade students for Health which also falls in line with the Georgia state requirements bc it sure isn't things like propaganda and destructive vs constructive communication. Thank you Dr. Thomas

# data[].attributes.headline
Wells - I feel like addressing the various learning styles is the most difficult to address. When you are virtual it seems next to impossible to reach each child. So then the question becomes how does one reach the visual child, the auditory child, the reader and writer, and the kinesthetic child? The answer to that is to create lessons and assessments that allow each child to show forth their strengths. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Wells - I feel like addressing the various learning styles is the most difficult to address. When you are virtual it seems next to impossible to reach each child. So then the question becomes how does one reach the visual child, the auditory child, the reader and writer, and the kinesthetic child? The answer to that is to create lessons and assessments that allow each child to show forth their strengths. 

# data[].attributes.body
Over the course of the semester, the students and I have experimented with a variety of digital learning applications. As expected some platforms meet or exceed our class needs while others do not. However, no single application does it all. Platforms that check off a majority of the "must have" tools often keep the most useful and accessibility increasing features behind a paywall. This has lead to having multiple applications the students must gain competency in using. It can be time consuming to transition from application to application during the school day. Especially when some students have slow internet speeds. At this time, I have rearranged the daily/weekly schedule in order to reduce the need for students to jump from application to application in close secession.

# data[].attributes.body
Since I am support personnel, pushing in for ESL students, I feel like When they meet in my zoom or I pull them into a breakout room they are missing specific directions and/or canvas instructions etc. Often I am focusing on standards and them accomplishing their assignments. I know the same is true in classrooms in the building but for some reason it just doesn’t seem like I’ve had the time to get to know them, maybe that’s because we didn’t start at the very beginning  of the year.
One way that I have connected with them is by chatting with them, instead of pulling them into a small group in a breakout room, especially during the time the teacher is taking roll or allowing independent work etc.

# data[].attributes.body
Trying to use existing lesson plans for virtual learning is definitely a challenge because since we are virtual, we have to ensure the lessons and activities are digital. We don't use paper or pencil much so ensuring the materials are digital and manipulative helps to create a more effective learning experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Some of the students have an issue with staying focus while at home. I have incorporated more games and interactive activities to help keep the students engaged during the lesson. Additionally, I give the students multiple brain breaks so that they can take a few minutes to refocus.

# data[].attributes.body
As a long term DES substitute (7 years retired), I can relate to ALL six challenges but #5 provides the most success for me. I have around 45 minutes of daily computer time, students are allowed one bathroom break, and they can place all concerns (public or private) in the chat box. We start each class with 3-5 minutes of open dialogue and frequently we have educational/interactive games or YouTube videos. These activities aid in maintaining their short attention spans.

# data[].attributes.body
Dr. Pat Stafford
Learning challenges have always existed.  They vary from one generation to the next.  Being an educator with forty plus years of experience and having certification in Leadership, Teacher Support & Learning Coach, Gifted Education, Elementary grades, Middle Grades, and High School Reading does not exempt me from challenges.  Thus, the challenge that I most relate to is Challenge No. 1: Existing lesson plans don’t translate easily to distance learning.

I have an assortment of lesson plans designed for in-person learning, but my challenge is teaching them on-line.  As full-time virtual learning become more of an option for parents and students, my desire is to maximize student learning by continuing my education in order to be kept abreast of technology and strategies to use with virtual learners.  Although I have lesson plans from the past, I’m in the process of updating them and becoming more creative with my on-line teaching strategies. For example, I just completed a weekend of learning with Camp Engage where I received ideas and resources from Nearpod.  It was a weekend of fun activities to motivate and engage students. As a results, I will be updating my lesson plans and attending other professional learning conferences/activities.

It is good to know that the school day does not have to be spent on video calls or live sessions.  Although I’m already using small groups for breakout sessions and projects, as well as collaborative discussions, students should be included in the decision-making process of how they will learn the online material, which brings into consideration their learning styles.

All in all, learning is a life-long process and all of us will face many challenges, but there are solutions.  Our job is to work on finding them, and although it’s a challenge, my lesson plans are being updated!

# data[].attributes.body
Keeping students interest was somewhat of a challenge in the beginning. My teammate and I have been doing virtual teaching for 2 years now and I have learned that keeping it short, and simple works best. Sometimes when teaching certain content it is not possible to keep it short, but I have learned to break the lesson down and not stress myself out over district timelines. Gamifying lessons is also great for virtual students. I do this often. Challenges to keep ALL students engaged remain, because some kids just do not want to do anything. But for the kids who want to learn, keeping it short, simple, and fun with frequent breaks is a great solution to keeping students engaged.

# data[].attributes.body
Getting to  know students virtually feels more challenging. Students often experience video or audio issues that prevent you from seeing or talking to them.  I try to take every opportunity during class discussion/chat to connect with them.

# data[].attributes.body
I can relate alot to this one because there is not always a reply to look forward to or a response. What I've learned is to keep the expectations and the announcements to a minimum in order to not overflow the parent, but keep them frequent enough for the parents to know to check their appropriate device for updates. Also I've found it helpful to try calling the non responders after their is not a response after a certain amount of time.