As part of a personal project, I have been photographing a friend (or couples) every day since January 1st of this year. I haven’t done much photographically in the past year so this is one way of re-honing my skills and doing a project that I have always thought about doing. However, in the past week, I decided to switch to photographing my educator friends and colleagues for the next week or two. It’s my own meager way of telling their stories regarding the sudden return to in-person instructions in Durham Public Schools (and other districts across the country). Today, my fellow co-educator today is a someone I have known in the area for over 10 years.
What is your name?
Dr. Kia Barfield
What do you teach or do in the school system and what grade do you work with?
6th Grade Math
What made you or inspired you to become an educator?
I enjoy teaching and love building relationships.
How are you feeling?
Overall good.
What is your mood like right now?
Positive
How do you feel about the sudden return to school buildings?
Frustrated that this decision was made after we were told we would remain remote.
How do you think it affects or impacts the students’ learning?
I agree that certain students learn better in a school setting. However, I am not sure those are the students coming back to school. Students would have better results in remote learning if they were able to remain focused. As a mother, I understand the challenges of keeping my child focused during remote learning. It is my job to collaborate with the teachers and try to keep my child on task. It is my job to make sure that he is completing his work, asking questions, and turning in assignments. So as a teacher and a mom, I believe that some children need to be in school to have academic success while other students need to be held accountable by parents.
As honestly as you can, do you think it’s time to return to the building? If not, when do you think will be a more appropriate time?
No one truly knows when the right time is. I pray that God covers us all as we take the next steps to teach our students under these unprecedented times.
