Covid-19 has turned the world upside down, and EVERYTHING has been impacted. How we live and interact with each other, how we work and communicate, how we move around and travel. Every aspect of our lives has been affected. Covid has affected not only the elderly and children but also students. Not only has Covid caused schools to shut down, but it is also affecting staffing, students’ behavior, attendance, and mental health. Even after schools have opened, students and educators are still struggling. An article written by the 74 presented key points about the key takeaways from a series of surveys called The School Pulse Panel. This survey was sent out to 800-850 public schools with not only the students responding, but principals, administrators, superintendents, and staff as well.

One takeaway from the survey was how Covid negatively affected students’ learning and development. A May 2022 survey found more than 80% of public schools reported “stunted behavioral and socioemotional development” in their students because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” also a 56% increase in “classroom disruptions from student misconduct,” and a 49% increase in “rowdiness outside of the classroom.” All schools surveyed reported a 55% increase in “student tardiness.” Because Covid-19 affected schooling, students are learning, and work conditions for teachers during ’20-’22.

Transitions are hard, especially when it’s for years, but teachers and administration are trying to make it go as smoothly as possible. Teachers were working more causing horrible amounts of stress and burnout. Increased Resignations accounted for 51% of the vacancies and retirements accounted for 21%. An interview-based article written by Jessica Fregni, Shares How They Really Feel About Going Back to School. Syedah Asghar, a College Sophomore in Washington D. says” College has been a safe space where I’m the most “me.” I would wake up much happier. For in-person classes, I would get dressed and must physically be present, which put a start to my day. Now, I sometimes turn on my computer as soon as I wake up and do not give myself the mental space ahead of time to start my day. The hardest part of learning remotely is maintaining a routine and staying positive”. Teachers and administration are trying to run things smoothly, hoping things could possibly go back to pre-pandemic. Schools have instilled guidelines and new rules for students and staff returning to in-person learning. Identifying missed and gapped learning skills, creating a different schedule with longer blocks to catch up on the missed learning, directing interventional learning time for kids who need it like kids in elementary, middle, and high school, and lastly taking advantage of the help the teachers and other students give to help catch everyone up. As a student at Meadville, I see the effort everyone is making to make things as easy as possible. I am lucky to have teachers that give us the time we need to get ourselves back on track.