“We all have to be more mindful of the students’ engagement level,” Jones said. “The kids’ agenda at school is social. They want to connect.” Since the students have lost the ability to do that in person, and the teacher can’t control individual learning environments, Jones strongly recommends focusing on engagement before curriculum. If teachers don’t keep students engaged, students don’t come to class, or they’re not learning.

“You have to innovate and play,” Jones said. “Take risks. Ask kids to build a fort and have them sit in it for class time. Have show and tell. Set up small-group discussions and put the students you know are friends in the same group. Use the chat box.” Not all of it will work, he said, but you have to have the attitude that if something doesn’t work, you’ll try something else.

Jones also said that teachers have to partner with parents. “Parents have to help their kids develop skills in goal-setting, prioritizing, emotional impulse control, and time management,” he said. “Teachers should coach parents to teach those skills and set up the learning space accordingly.”

He suggests making phone calls to parents and offering small-group mentoring to students—techniques that his teachers use to keep students at Denver Online High School involved. “Above all,” Jones said, “this is a human business, and we need to make human connections.”

Even in these uncertain times, our enrollment at the UNC Center for Urban Education is strong for this fall. We are calling all future teachers to join the effort to create a bright future for Denver-area students, and you are responding!

In case you’re wondering about this fall, all classes will be hybrid. That means some will be delivered face to face (taking all appropriate safety precautions), and some will be delivered online. For those who can’t attend in person, we will make sure you have access to your coursework. We take good care of our students.

To existing students: Continue your good progress. We will work with you to make sure you earn your degree on schedule.

Special note: If you want to enroll or have not registered for classes, email Rosanne Fulton or call her at 303-637-4334.

Did you miss previous issues of the Chronicle? Visit the Leadership Council page on our website, scroll down, and click on past newsletters.

Rosanne Fulton, PhD
Director, Center for Urban Education
UNC Denver Center at Lowry
1059 Alton Way
Denver CO 80230
Office: 303-637-4334
rosanne.fulton@unco.edu
www.unco.edu/UrbanEd