Teacher Check-In
Samantha Peltrau, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
Samantha Peltrau, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
Covid-19 has changed our lives monumentally. From an unusual Summer Break in quarantine to demanding virtual learning, we’ve spent the last 7 months rapidly, and sometimes forcibly, adapting ourselves to a new world. Here’s an update on our dear teachers, and hint-hint, they’re adorable.
Ms. Gelber, Senior High History and AP Teacher, iPrep Academy:
Similarly, Ms. Gelber is relieved by getting into school routines and their success! She still misses being face-to-face and hanging out with her students and colleagues, but she calls the school year so far a “wild ride.” Over the summer, Ms. Gelber traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, graded APUSH exam essays, and went to teacher workshops. To de-stress, she gets active: playing tennis, swimming, cycling, “and best of all, long beach walks with friends.” |
Ms. Keller, Senior High English/Language Arts and AP Teacher,
iPrep Academy: Ms. Keller was also able to escape to North Carolina in July, where she fleed Miami's bustling metropolis to enjoy hiking in almost dream-like cool weather near mountains and lakes. When asked about the school year, she says that “our students are amazing!” There have been many days where she has had 100% attendance using the “tried and true” Zoom and Edmodo (she “hasn’t been back” to K-12 since it crashed the first day of school). When she needs time to de-stress from school, she takes beach walks with a friend near her...I wonder who? |
Ms. Villucci, Test Chairperson/Internship Supervisor iPrep Academy:
Ms. Villucci picked up walking as a hobby during quarantine: While the sun rises from her slumber, she walks 3-5 miles in her neighborhood during the early morning glow, passing by cows, horses, sheep, and goats. She says it's like “walking through a forest almost” and reminds her of the countryside in Illinois, where she grew up. When it comes to teaching from a distance, Ms. Villucci says that the experience has been fascinating since she has never worked from home; though, she has been getting used to the new challenges to stay a very flexible teacher!
Ms. Villucci picked up walking as a hobby during quarantine: While the sun rises from her slumber, she walks 3-5 miles in her neighborhood during the early morning glow, passing by cows, horses, sheep, and goats. She says it's like “walking through a forest almost” and reminds her of the countryside in Illinois, where she grew up. When it comes to teaching from a distance, Ms. Villucci says that the experience has been fascinating since she has never worked from home; though, she has been getting used to the new challenges to stay a very flexible teacher!
Ms. Muller, Senior High English Teacher, iPrep Academy:
Ms. Muller’s quarantine has been “great” as she got to relax at Ft.Myers Beach, and she says the best way to destress is “yoga & the beach.” She calls the distance teaching experience “interesting,” and despite vexing technology issues, she enjoys recreating her classroom and lessons on Zoom. Her message for teachers is “#teacherstrong (No matter the distance).” |
Ms. Simmons, Secretary and Tresurer, iPrep Academy:
Ms. Simmons says that “all is well” and she has been busy adapting to iPrep and the world's new environment. Even though working with teachers, staff, and students is sometimes difficult, she is up to and enjoys the challenge. She misses a school full of students and can’t wait for us to come back during a safer time. She reminds us all to social distance!
Ms. Hernandez, Senior High Activities Director & Lead Teacher, iPrep Academy
Last, but CERTAINLY, not least of my interviewees is Ms. Hernandez! Despite currently being an activities director, counselor, and lead teacher all at the same time, she granted me a few minutes of her time for this interview. Her quarantine was bad in some ways, as to be expected, but she enjoyed the plentiful amount of family time. |
From watching her daughter graduate and helping her settle into UF to visiting the beach in the Keys and traveling around the state (as a dedicated sports mom), her summer has been quite eventful. She also picked up walking, exercise, and cleaning (though unwillingly) throughout her time off. In regards to virtual school, she likes that she can get a lot of work done from home, but she misses when we’d visit her office or stop her in the hallway to interrupt her.
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Her message to us, both faculty and student body, is to “stick with it.” She says that we must appreciate the good when we look at the bad, find the silver lining, and remember to smile and laugh.
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