What Our Students Learned Last Year (It's More Than You Think)

Dr. Marisa Rivas (CA '09) | Riverside Unified School District

In a year like no other, students learned a wide variety of new things ranging from technology applications to life skills as they faced and met the challenges of a global pandemic. However, the most important thing that comes to mind is how students took ownership of their learning. Students in sixth grade [at Arrowview Middle School in San Bernardino, where I taught last year], brand new to middle school, learned to send their teachers emails in order to ask questions about an assignment or to communicate regarding missed classes. Students felt empowered monitoring their academic progress when checking their grades and missing assignments online. They attended online tutoring sessions outside of class hours to seek additional help and assistance. The ability to advocate for themselves and personalize their learning experience will prove valuable as they continue on their educational journeys.