ELC News

Musings of an ELC remote teacher …

Anna Pummeroy, ELC Teacher  

'Good morning family, can you please be quiet as I am filming for my ELC class?' These words (as put forward by my son), or words-to-this-effect, can regularly be heard each week in any remote ELC teacher’s household! A week which has become more predictable and routine when considered alongside my previous 20-plus years as a Kindergarten teacher.

At times, I feel like I have returned to school or university as I find myself researching, designing, planning and learning new skills ... becoming more digitally literate as I build new skills in filming and editing and the use of new platforms to share with families. 

Like all teachers, I have been learning how to navigate and communicate via Microsoft Teams, with our weekly meetings a highlight. Hearing and seeing the children verbally and non-verbally share what they have been learning about, or sharing a treasured item with their peers and educators, has helped to maintain our connection and foster a new means of communication. 

While missing my ELC students, having more time to interact with my own children as they come and go from their rooms during their breaks is a definite bonus. This has included sometimes greeting their friends online or over-hearing their teachers on Teams (and getting excited when I know the answer to my daughter’s Year 8 Science teacher’s question about skeletons – I promise Ms James, I didn’t give her all the answers!) ... or having a chuckle when one of my girls tells me they had to explain once again to their class, 'oh that is just my mum singing or playing a game with her kindergarten class!'

Reflecting on this time at home, I asked my fellow ELC teachers to share some words which came to mind, and the following are a snapshot: collaboration, thankful, innovative, adaptable, technology, brainstorming, isolating, innovative, thinking outside the square, a sense of fun and a different lens.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the educators who have continued to maintain a high level of care for the children attending the ELC, while also ably supporting Jo, Tamara, Mary Ann and myself with our programs. Thank you to our ELC Coordinator Lyn, for her unwavering support and ability to keep us all in the loop!

It has been wonderful returning to the classroom this week, where we revel in each day being different and where in-person interactions mean so much to all!