As the Coronavirus hit El Paso, students did not only have to go to school via Zoom but teachers were forced to learn how to teach students online. 

It was impactful seeing how students went from learning in classrooms with their friends to sitting in front of a computer and how teachers went from teaching to a class full of students to videos on a screen. 

Mrs. Gomez, a World History teacher at Loretto Academy, said, “ I remember the first time having to teach students online was eye-opening because now while teaching you have to see yourself talking or lecturing and it’s just so different in so many ways.” 

Not only has online learning been a change in the way teachers plan their lesson, but also in their routine. 

Mrs. Gomez said, “My daily routine to teaching classes in the morning I make sure both computers are working properly and are set up and I have my planner and schedule set up next to me.” 

While there are cons to online learning, Mrs. Gomez focused on the pros.

Mrs. Gomez said, “First pro, I would have to say is being able to learn in the comfort of your own home wearing your most comfortable pants without anyone judging you.” 

While being able to wear your pajama pants is definitely a pro, online learning also has its cons.

Mrs. Gomez said, “The one thing that I do miss is being able to connect with students.”

Mrs. Gomez is fortunate knowing how to easily navigate the internet but for older teachers it is a task that requires more practice.  

Not only is having to learn to use Google Meets difficult, but it is hard on the students who are afraid to speak up. 

Mrs. Gomez said, “I feel with being online a lot of students are afraid to speak up because every person is staring at them, I hope all students learn that you are only hurting yourself not speaking up and only you can make that change.” 

As the school year began and the faculty decided to open Loretto for in-person learning, teachers’ routines were changed once again.  

Mrs. Gomez said, “My routine for teaching classes at Loretto is to make sure  every morning I get my temperature checked and I literally hand sanitize 24/7, I literally walk around with hand sanitizer around my neck.” 

While Mrs. Gomez walks with hand sanitizer around her neck she props her laptop on a weird angle using textbooks so her students can see her teaching which caused some students to laugh at the process. 

Mrs. Gomez said, “I remember a student watching me prop it one morning and she was laughing because she got to see all that goes into setting up online teaching.” 

Aside from a few students not many returned to Loretto for in-person learning. 

Walking through the near empty Loretto halls that were once filled with girls scurrying on their way to get to class is jaw dropping but not as drastic as seeing the classrooms with three students. 

Mrs. Gomez said, “The first week teaching at Loretto and only having three students that whole day was so sad, but it’s the world we live in now.” 

While online learning has been a different and difficult time for students, teachers like Mrs.Gomez make online learning worthwhile.