First-time teachers give perspective on pandemic teaching

Teachers across Kansas and Missouri are gearing up for the upcoming school year.

Many have an idea about what to expect after schools went virtual in the spring.

But for new teachers, this type of learning is uncharted water.

Like a great field to go into"BUT THERE ARETEACHERS WHO ARESTARTING THEIR CAREERIN THIS UNUSUAL TIME...AND AS 41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSFOUND -- THEY AREDRIVEN BY THE PASSIONTO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.YOU COULD CALL ITUNCHARTED WATERS.Diazhane Ellis, first timeteacher inKansas City Public Schools"It's a roll of transition ifyouwill.

For me instead of beingthe student, now I am theperson kicking out all theseassignments."FIRST TIME TEACHERS INKANSAS AND MISSOURIARE PREPARING FOR THEUPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR,BUT IN A WHOLE NEW WAY.Kindred Baldus, first timeteacher inGrandview School District"There is not a class forpandemic teaching."KINDRED BALDUS IS A NEWFIFTH GRADE TEACHER INGRANDVIEW.SHE IS SPENDING HERDAYS SETTING UP HERROOM BECAUSETEACHERS IN HERDISTRICT GET TO TEACHTEAM FROM THEIRCLASSROOM.AT THE SAME TIME, SHE'SLEARNING NEW ONLINEPROGRAMS.Kindred Baldus, first timeteacher inGrandview School District"We do Eureka Math and sothat is mapped out for theentire year for me.

So, I don'thave to prep for that.

I willhave to learn how to teachthat way."OTHER FIRST TIMERS LIKECAROLINE KINNEYAND DIAZHANEELLIS FEEL A LITTLEPRESSURE TO MAKE SURETHEIR STUDENTS AREGETTING THE BESTEDUCATION.Caroline Kinney, first timeteacher inthe Blue Valley School District"Because I am a new teacherand I hope that I can give mystudents what they need."Diazhane Ellis, first timeteacher inKansas City Public Schools"Sometimes I think maybe itis a little normal to feeloverwhelmed right, becausenow everything is online.

But, Ihave a feeling that we aregoing to come out evenstronger."THIS NEW NORMAL ISHARD ON TEACHERS, THEYALL ARE HOPING THECORONAVIRUS DOESN'TSCARE AWAY FUTURETEACHERS.Kindred Baldus, first timeteacher inGrandview School District"most teachers I know got intobecause of their love ofeducation and the students.

Idon't think that's gonna holdanyone back that has thatsame love."ALL OF THESE WOMAN SAYTHEY GOT INTO THIS FIELDTO CHANGE LIVES ANDTHEY ALL FEEL THAT CANHAPPEN...EVEN DURING APANDEMIC.Diazhane Ellis, first timeteacher inKansas City Public Schools"I just can't stop having thisfeeling that we are going toha