How Medford Oregon Schools Are Navigating Through 2020

Obviously, the Coronavirus has taken its toll on all our lives, but Medford Oregon schools are bearing the brunt of the chaos. We are all experiencing incredibly tough circumstances: loss of loved ones, sickness, fear, lost business and jobs — these are just some of the negative effects the pandemic has had on our community and world. As the job market and economy struggle to correct themselves, the crisis in Medford Oregon schools continues. This crisis has had a huge impact on me and my family; this year I have been so discouraged watching my grandchildren struggle with school.

I love being a grandparent, and hate to see my grandkids experience difficulty. It hasn’t been easy seeing my young grandkids having a hard time staying on track with schoolwork. They are really missing the face-to-face interaction with their teachers and classmates that Medford Oregon schools usually provide. Our teachers do a great job with the kids and have been doing everything they can to help them virtually, but the saying “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” is so true! The effort that Medford Oregon schools have put into virtual learning is amazing, but it has proven to be inefficient for many children, including my grandkids. Most children find themselves in a similar situation: behind on homework and feeling very overwhelmed.

Medford Oregon schools have such amazing teachers on the front lines of this crisis. But I think we are seeing that as parents, guardians, and grandparents, we have to be involved as never before. We need to think out of the box to get our kids caught up on their work and help them complete the year strong. For the kids who are really struggling, it’s a tough place to be. To fail them isn’t fair to the kids who have been doing their best to navigate totally unfamiliar territory, but it’s going to take all of us working together to bridge the gap in their education.

For all of you with kids in Medford Oregon schools (or anywhere else around the globe!) who are going through similar situations, I feel your pain. I have a couple ideas: we might see a big benefit from involving ourselves more with the homework process, creating checklists, and double-checking work. We might need to consider hiring tutors for our kids who are having trouble grasping material, and maybe even summer school for the children who truly need face-to-face interaction with the teacher to master their material. As Medford Oregon schools navigate this issue, my own family will be working through some possible solutions.

I do know one thing: this pandemic has given me a new appreciation for our Southern Oregon community and the teachers who are working so hard to help our kids succeed. They are doing a fantastic job and are vital for our children and grandchildren to be able to learn and grow. They are among of the most important people in this “village.”  The next time you meet a teacher, be sure to thank them for the job they do. I know I will!

Your Friend and Personal Mortgage Banker,

James Beard