COCHRANE— Madison Nagel, a local teacher from the Cochrane area is looking to do her part during this self-isolation period in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nagel, who graduated with a Bachelor in Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019 is hosting her own teaching classes through Zoom and Youtube called Love2Learn with Miss Nagel.
Nagel said she was enjoying her first year teaching preschool before the COVID-19 outbreak forced the closures of schools across the country
"Before Covid-19 I would wake up every day excited to go to school, to see my students and embark on a new adventure in the classroom. After a week of sitting at home away from my students and seeing everyone on social media struggling with the daily task of teaching I knew I had to do something to help," Nagel exclaimed.
"I want people to log onto my Facebook and Youtube channel Love2learn with Miss Nagel and feel inspired creating an online community of lifelong learners. My primary focus is to help the young learners but also support parents in this difficult time. Surprisingly, I have also heard from others who were neither parents nor young students logging on and enjoying my posts and stories."
Nagel said she started this initiative in order to keep in touch with her students and assist their parents during this time of uncertainty. She added that the viewership she's received in the two weeks since starting her online journey has been solid. She also highlighted that she started reading children's stories out loud for a few reasons. It helps keeps the children engaged with stories about friendship, morals as well as basic math and science while also giving the families something to enjoy.
"I had parents texting, emailing, private messaging and calling me to share their children's reactions to what I shared to my Facebook page, even their older children were getting excited to hear my stories," Nagel said.
"Since I started my online platforms just two week ago I have had almost daily Facetime and Zoom Meetings with my students and online community where we do daily check-ins on what everyone has been doing to keep busy, mini sharing sessions in the form of show-and-tells, we shared some dance moves, sang songs, read stories and most importantly helped the children and families feel a sense of community and routine in their lives."
While the online classes have many positives, Nagel said teaching online is quite different from having face-to-face interactions with her students.
"Teaching online is quite different to teaching in-person face-to-face. There is a major interactive element of learning that is missed online. When I post videos on my YouTube channel, Love2learn with Miss Nagel, parents often send me their child's reactions," she said.
"Although, I am grateful for this, it is not a complete replacement for when I used to be reading a story to my class before the pandemic. In-person there is more spontaneity, I could invite the children's input on the story in real-time. Also while I could see them laughing or saying what came to mind. Now; however, these reactions are delayed and I am not sure if they like the story until after, in other words, the instant feedback and connection cannot be fully replaced by virtual learning but it is better than none at all."
Nagel said she will continue to upload and post her videos until further notice.
"To keep moving forward and do my part, I will continue to produce Youtube videos, read alouds and I am exploring further options of recording a wide variety of material," Nagel said.
"This will include mini-lessons in a variety of subjects, host novel studies and provide tutoring services for parents on how to help your children with at home online learning."
Those interested in connecting with Nagel can do so through Facebook at facebook.com/missnagel or on Instagram at instagram.com/love2learn.io.
