By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … If teachers had been asked at the beginning of the 2019/20 school year about plans for the weeks leading up to Mile High Academy’s graduation, responses would have included classroom parties, the annual Senior Walk, field trips, completing lessons and preparing final tests. Instead, the hallways are empty, void of laughter and displays of recent student work. But other than the new normal of “seeing” their students through a Zoom classroom, MHA teachers are hard at work looking for unique ways to make remote learning fun while still providing an exemplary, Christ-centered education from a distance.
“It has been difficult for our teachers to only be with their students remotely since Spring Break,” said Jamie Frain, MHA’s Vice Principal of School Culture. “But they have hit this challenge head on, without hesitation. The teachers have remained focused while continuing to find solutions to ease the challenges of remote learning for students and their families. It’s inspiring to work with the dedicated teachers we have on this team.”
Since this week (May 4-8) is Teacher Appreciation Week, MHA’s Parent Teacher Organization and school community wanted to make teacher gifts special, something not only showing them how much they’re loved, but that expresses the uniqueness of the year. Each teacher received a personalized book, made just for them and filled with memories, thoughts, thank-yous and pictures from their students. They also received #VirtualEducator t-shirts, toilet paper rolls with the message “thank you for rolling with us this school year,” water bottles, chocolates and gift cards.
MHA parent, board member and alum Brodie Philpott has experienced first-hand the extra mile these teachers go to make sure their students are receiving the best education possible. “My favorite thing about MHA is being part of a community that supports my family and kids,” said Philpott. “The teachers really care and check in with us to see how our family is doing in addition to asking how school is going. Because of their concern and the extra steps, they have taken, the switch to remote learning has gone seamlessly for our family.”
Upper School parent Mara Espinosa expressed similar gratitude. “The teachers at MHA invest in their students, going above and beyond what is asked of them. This is a unique time for all of us. And before remote learning even started, the teachers had already sent communication and plans about how they would work towards every objective during remote learning. When I shared with my friends and neighbors about the plans MHA already had in place, they too were very impressed. And the teachers have continued to work hard to made the educational process as streamlined as possible. We are thankful to have such amazing, God-loving teachers at our school and in our sons’ lives.”
While in the midst of graduation and end-of-the-year planning, thoughts are already shifting to the next school year. “A certain amount of uncertainty will remain as Mile High Academy continues to maneuver through the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Frain. “However, one thing is certain. Our teachers are ready to face whatever challenges may arise. They love their students. They work hard to support students in many different areas. They will continue to make Mile High Academy different!”
— Karrie Meyers; photos by Jocelyn Aalborg
