Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
5/21/2020
I've always been a strong believer in Pacific Northern Academy’s mission, philosophy, and methodologies. But never have I believed in them more than through this last trimester of distance learning. It was as if students and teachers had been in training their whole PNA careers for this moment…. These students had to be independent thinkers to navigate all the problems that might pop up. They had to help their younger siblings and family members in roles they had never had before. They had to be responsible and take charge of their own learning. Middle Schoolers rose to the challenge and led the way. Time and time again, strong roots in community have proven to play a significant role in positive responses to crisis. Maintaining ties between students, teachers, and families was PNA’s main focus. Without community, who are we? Through community we knew we could continue to grow and learn despite the obstacles. Once things stabilized, we were able to sit back and watch our students relax in their new routines. And while we spent some time learning new technologies and problem solving glitchy devices, we relied on our strengths. For Middle Schoolers, Project Based Learning found its most authentic place. 8th Graders worked on their graduation speeches and learned how to make them into videos for the 2020 Graduation Ceremony. In Social Studies, all students kept a primary source journal documenting and reflecting on daily challenges and developments of the pandemic. In science, students learned about the nature of viruses and how they work and then explored in depth any aspect of pathogens that was of interest to them specifically. You will need to ask your student to view his or her video. But when we let them choose whatever they wanted to focus on and develop their own interest, they truly shined. Students followed a plan that they created and adapted for themselves toward a goal they wanted to achieve. Interests ranged from photography - to cooking - to reimagining interior airplane design - to sewing - to coding - to art - to anatomy and history of medicine - to training a puppy - to running - to building a trebuchet - and others! For me, distance learning has reinforced all of PNA’s strengths and deepened their meaning. I have seen the community, the integrity, and the independent thinking in action. I am very proud of our school and the families that make up our community. And while I am not fond of distance learning, I know that if we have to continue with some form of it, PNA is the place I would want to be.
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Sarah Mariner
Ms. Mariner earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Colorado State University, and was awarded a teaching certificate through the University of Alaska, Southeast. Her varied background includes being an environmental education field instructor in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Baja, Mexico. She also served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Archives
April 2021
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