A military teacher’s best advice for surviving virtual schooling? It may surprise you
Army spouse Daniele Massey was the DoDEA Teacher of the Year in 2013. (Daniele Massey)
Daniele Massey has been teaching math for the Department of Defense Education Activity’s virtual school for five years. So, since she’s an expert in teaching behind a computer screen, we asked for her best tips for families currently navigating the headache that is remote learning during a global pandemic.
Here’s what she said.
“Contrary to maybe what you think is going to come out of my mouth, the best thing that you can do is unplug. Unplug from those devices and go outside. Go do anything else but be in front of a computer screen,” Massey said on episode 46 of The Spouse Angle podcast.
Massey, who is also helping her two daughters through remote school work of their own this year, said it’s not only good to give kids’ eyes a rest from screen time, but it’s also good for their mental health and well-being to do something different.
Daniele Massey pictured with her husband and daughters. (Daniele Massey)
Besides regular breaks, Massey said her best advice is to be in contact with your child’s teacher and reach out, especially if you’re getting frustrated.
“ I really think about teacher, student, parents — it’s a team. It is a full on team effort,” she said. “I love that idea of it takes a village, but in a virtual setting, and especially with what we’re going through now, we all need to have all hands on deck with our children.”