Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are weighing the options when it comes to the upcoming 2020 school year. Should they send their kids to school? Or will they elect to have their child learning virtually? Or should they take their kids out of public school altogether, and homeschool them? How is a parent to do decide what is best for their child’s education during a global pandemic?
In today’s podcast, I sit down to talk to Sam Lorusso, a high school history teacher with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in North Carolina. Sam and I talk about education during the pandemic, and the options that are available to children and parents today. I think Sam’s perspective is particularly relevant, not only as a public educator, but because Sam was homeschooled for several years when he was a kid. As a result, I believe he can help parents make the best decision possible, as they wrestle with making a decision regarding their child’s education.
Be sure to listen to the podcast above!
Talking Points From Today’s Podcast
- We talk about Governor Roy Cooper and his educational mandate for the state of North Carolina, and the decision of CMS schools to opt for remote learning.
- Sam talks about his experience as a teacher, especially as they transitioned from a classroom setting to remote learning from March to June of last year, and how the coming school year will differ from last Spring.
- The challenges parents, students, and teachers will face for next year. Especially in regard to motivation, and the social aspects of school.
- Issues with teaching standards, assignments, tests, and grades.
- Inequality in education for students in high poverty areas, or where parents work outside the home.
- The challenges students with disabilities will face trying to get their specialized education in a virtual learning scenario.
- The impact that remote learning will have on younger students in Elementary school vs. High School, and the unique challenges to each group.
- How effective will online learning really be?
- Extracurricular activities.
- A discussion of Khan Academy.
- The advantages and disadvantages of homeschool during a pandemic, who should homeschool their kids, and who should not.
Special Guest: Sam Lorusso
Sam Lorusso is a high school history teacher with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina.
He is a graduate of Liberty University, and currently lives in the greater Charlotte area. Sam has a unique educational background, having been in public school, private school, and homeschool.
Sam was also part of the infamous “Taco Bell Church of God,” a small group of high school kids that I used to meet with on a weekly basis to talk about God, the Bible, and life.