College students take the wheel in classrooms

College students are among those filling in in area classrooms, taking on the job of classroom supervisor for in-person learners when teachers are teaching from home.

This trend is unfolding around the country, reports ABC News, with college students recruited to oversee classrooms during a pandemic when educators are sidelined.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” said Kasson-Mantorville classroom supervisor Garsen Schorr, 20, who is home from college in Notre Dame in Indiana. He returned to town for Thanksgiving and isn’t due back to college until early February.

Peyton Suess, 19, a 2019 KM grad, said she’s “happy to help out.” She’s home from college in Wake Forrest in North Carolina and heard about the classroom supervisors jobs from her mom Slone Suess, a sixth grade English teacher.

Suess enjoys covering classrooms at KM Middle School and has been home for a month from college.

“I heard how it was a really needed position,” Suess said, “with COVID-19. It would be something I could do to help out, helping by being a presence in the classroom. It gives students a sense of normalcy to have their classes through a virtual teacher. It’s really rewarding to give back that way.”

Classes are taught virtually by the teacher, with classroom supervisors being on hand overseeing the students. KM Superintendent Mark Matuska said the district started with two classroom supervisors at the high school level. With teachers out for quarantine or with other illnesses, classroom supervisors cover for teachers while the teachers are teaching from home. It’s a perfect bridge, educators say.

College kids seem to have an easy time building relationships with students, Matuska said. “We’re really excited,” he said.

“We just need an adult to facilitate and supervise to make sure students have what they need,” said KM High School Principal Trent Langemo.

“They don’t take the role of teacher,” said KM Middle School Principal Josh Larsen. “They’re there to facilitate. Parents are very appreciative. One of the benefits I’ve seen at the middle school level is classroom supervisors make connections with students, really focus in and hone in on topics.”

KM Elementary School Principal Ariana Wright said “supervisors really provide a bridge between the teacher at home and students in the classroom.”

Matuska said we are in a unique era for education. Never in his lifetime has he seen teachers compromised by a pandemic. Classroom supervisors manage the classroom so students can “continue to get high quality education,” he said.

“We’ve focused a lot in our school district on relationships,” Matuska said. “What we’ve seen is they’ve been able to develop relationships with kids. They’re bringing a passion for wanting to be here. I know they are enjoying the positions.”

Suess said those relationships she’s forming are “impactful” to students. “It’s nice to be back in this familiar school setting,” she said. “Being back in the school is rewarding. These kids are in the same spot I was in, and it’s kind of fun. Even though it seems miniscule but some of the conversations and relationships I form with students are pretty impactful to them.”