As distance learning continues, all parents are becoming very familiar with how our kids are handling this new version of school.
Our Someones 2 Know this week - are on the other end of the line. Two educators - both admired by peers and students for their strong and kind leadership.
Meet Bri Thoreson and Casey McCann;
Downstairs at the McCann’s home, we see a stack of work papers and hear voices emanating from an iPad.
For many, this will sound and look familiar; group meetings held online as we all work - and learn from home. And, for many it is challenging.
"I can motivate a little bit better when I'm in person with the kid, the kid is sitting in my office,” admits McCann.
McCann is a guidance counselor at Wooster High School in Reno, and his focus is on more than just a student's grades.
"We’re making sure that they have food, have resources and doing okay and getting through the tough time."
At home, surrounded by his beloved sports memorabilia, McCann does this with a team of other counselors;
"Jose, how ya doing, buddy?” asks Casey, speaking toward the iPad
The counselors check in with each other - and their students, every day;
"Any of the kids you talk to need computers for this weekend?" The team has secured a donation of laptops for students in need.
...And on the south end of town;
"That's the only acronym I'm hearing when I enter into an AP class."
From her home office, Bishop Manogue High School principal Bri Thoreson is in the middle of a conversation with other educators.
She also does group meetings with distance learning students, as well.
At Manogue all 650 students are following their regular schedules, every day - online.
"We have two attendance checks; one at the beginning of the class period, during the face to face time and one at the end,” details Thoreson.
In addition to the discipline, Thoreson wants her students to have fun and still feel connected, so they created a school-wide music video project
"And we let kids video themselves, lip-synching from home or wherever they were right now and published it with their help.”
And while Thoreson and McCann are at different schools, their "stay positive" perspectives are the same.
"Because the kids are leaning on us,” asserts McCann “The leaders of the school, to show them it's okay."
And it will be okay, Thoreson reassures;
"There's always opportunity that can come out of challenging situations, and we'll find it. We might not see it yet (she laughs gently) but we'll find it."
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All Washoe County public schools - and Bishop Manogue will continue distance learning until summer.
Both are working on plans for their graduating seniors.
