The findings indicate that legislators, policymakers, district leaders and parents need to start preparing for a new era of schooling, and to eliminate the remote learning barriers for teachers and students.
When schools across the nation abruptly closed due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, teachers and students faced significant challenges in remote learning. At the onset of the pandemic, 80% of U.S. public school teachers said that they had students who had poor or no internet access at home. And 71% of U.S. public school teachers said that they were unprepared to teach online.
But the survey indicates that teachers do not expect a return to the past when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
“Teachers know that the world is changing and the education system will need to quickly adapt as well,” said Dr. Emily Feistritzer, founder and CEO of TEACH-NOW. “They are way ahead of our elected leaders in recognizing that education five years from now will be delivered very differently than it was before the pandemic struck the nation.”
TEACH-NOW surveyed 641 U.S. and international teachers from November 14 to November 30, 2020 on the impact of COVID-19 on their teaching, their biggest challenges, available resources, and the future of education. Teachers believe that the technological changes implemented due to remote schooling will continue to evolve and to improve the educational system and teachers want to be part of the future of schooling.
The survey also found that districts and schools need to address teachers’ emotional, social and mental health. Over 40% of U.S. public school teachers indicate that they need programs to support their personal well-being during this difficult time.