Last month, I attended a virtual meeting with a nonprofit organization called Stand for Children and I asked if they knew how to help with some of the technological needs that I have observed in my recent classroom observations. Last weekend, I received an email from them inviting me to share my testimony at the upcoming House Education Committee meeting. Sadly, the bill on Digital Equity on was then removed from the agenda. Surprisingly, the bill then was moved back onto the agenda early this morning!
Between my regularly scheduled work meetings, I logged on and listened to other speakers who were sharing their testimonies in support of or opposition to the bill. Although there was no more time allowed for new speakers, there was still time to submit my written testimony before the meeting ended.
So with fueled by a sudden rush of adrenaline and coffee, I typed up my testimony as quickly as my shaky hands could handle. I don’t think I have ever been so grateful to have the speedy skills of an English teacher, even though they are a bit out of practice. I hope the following testimony helps to ensure greater access for Washington State students and teachers! And I hope no one can tell that I wrote this in less than 10 minutes!
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Thank you for reading my testimony in support of digital equity today. I am an Education Field Supervisor at Eastern Washington University, and my primary role is to observe and provide coaching for education majors in their P-12 teaching internships.
As I have observed remote learning across the state over the last year, I have realized that there are many modern technological needs that are still needed for students to effectively engage and learn. Especially in rural areas and lower socio-economic areas, students and teachers often struggle without reliable internet access. Teachers who teach performance-based courses such as PE or Theatre often need a second computer screen so that they can observe students on one screen and provide instructional or assessment materials on the second screen. Teachers often need headphones and attached microphones in order to hear students and to be clearly heard by their students.
And one unique device that I have seen need for is headphones for students. One morning, when I was observing in a 5th grade class, I saw a boy who appeared to be hiding under his bedsheets as if it were a fort. When my teaching candidate kindly asked him if he had chosen his best learning spot, he said “Yes, my brother is on his laptop next to me and I can’t hear you over his teacher.”
Digital equity is critical to making these supports available for students to learn in our digital age. I believe that these resources will continue to be utilized in a variety of ways even when schools return in person. I appreciate the attention you are giving to this important issue in support of our teachers and students.
__________________________________________________________
P.S. If you are in Spokane County and have not already voted, please support your local levy! Our students cannot afford to loose many of the following essential programs, people, and services; and our districts cannot afford to keep them all without continued levy funding.
Between my regularly scheduled work meetings, I logged on and listened to other speakers who were sharing their testimonies in support of or opposition to the bill. Although there was no more time allowed for new speakers, there was still time to submit my written testimony before the meeting ended.
So with fueled by a sudden rush of adrenaline and coffee, I typed up my testimony as quickly as my shaky hands could handle. I don’t think I have ever been so grateful to have the speedy skills of an English teacher, even though they are a bit out of practice. I hope the following testimony helps to ensure greater access for Washington State students and teachers! And I hope no one can tell that I wrote this in less than 10 minutes!
__________________________________________________________
Thank you for reading my testimony in support of digital equity today. I am an Education Field Supervisor at Eastern Washington University, and my primary role is to observe and provide coaching for education majors in their P-12 teaching internships.
As I have observed remote learning across the state over the last year, I have realized that there are many modern technological needs that are still needed for students to effectively engage and learn. Especially in rural areas and lower socio-economic areas, students and teachers often struggle without reliable internet access. Teachers who teach performance-based courses such as PE or Theatre often need a second computer screen so that they can observe students on one screen and provide instructional or assessment materials on the second screen. Teachers often need headphones and attached microphones in order to hear students and to be clearly heard by their students.
And one unique device that I have seen need for is headphones for students. One morning, when I was observing in a 5th grade class, I saw a boy who appeared to be hiding under his bedsheets as if it were a fort. When my teaching candidate kindly asked him if he had chosen his best learning spot, he said “Yes, my brother is on his laptop next to me and I can’t hear you over his teacher.”
Digital equity is critical to making these supports available for students to learn in our digital age. I believe that these resources will continue to be utilized in a variety of ways even when schools return in person. I appreciate the attention you are giving to this important issue in support of our teachers and students.
__________________________________________________________
P.S. If you are in Spokane County and have not already voted, please support your local levy! Our students cannot afford to loose many of the following essential programs, people, and services; and our districts cannot afford to keep them all without continued levy funding.
- Nurses
- Counselors
- Behavior specialists
- Student intervention programs
- Special education services
- Technology support
- Smaller class sizes
- Advanced Placement courses
- Athletics
- Arts, music, and drama
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