A Conference for School Leaders

On August 12, amidst continuing public health uncertainty, the Center for Teaching and Learning in Community convened SBU medical, DEI and K-12 experts for the Reopening 2.0: Reflecting & Reimaginingwebinar. The panelists, Sharon Nachman, MD, Judith Brown Clarke, PhD, and Nicole Galante, PhD discussed core matters in school reopening plans. Each expert dissected the major issues facing superintendent’s as they implement and execute plans for the coming school year. 

Presentation Summaries

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Sharon Nachman, MD 

Stony Brook Medicine's Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

In her discussion, medical expert Dr. Nachman detangled the mass of information available on the Delta variant, masking, and vaccinations. Dr. Nachman explained the transmissibility of the Delta variant in comparison with the original coronavirus strain, describing Delta as having more attachments that seek out receptors on a human cell. These additional attachments create a more transmissible virus strain.

With consideration to students reentering school buildings, most of whom are unvaccinated at this time, this added transmissibility of Delta indicates a continued need for masks in schools. Dr. Nachman supported the argument for masking with the data that an unvaccinated person who has previously had COVID sits at a 2.3 higher risk than a vaccinated person in contracting the virus again. With barriers to vaccinations in children and distancing in schools, Dr. Nachman reemphasized that masking continues to be the primary form of protective equipment for students.

Judith Brown Clarke, PhD 

Stony Brook's Chief Diversity Officer

As the pandemic has created or exacerbated gaps in equity, Dr. Clarke spoke to school leaders on the core skills, strategies and practices for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work in school communities. She urged focus and care in hiring, project management, and community engagement. 

Dr. Clarke emphasized that a DEI leader must have not only passion for the subject, but also the strategic and tactical skills to analyze data and manage long-term projects. Any equity initiative should be thoughtfully planned, implemented, and executed over the course of two school years, with plenty of formative opportunities for feedback from stakeholders. The space to navigate, mitigate, and pivot projects creates a trusting climate in the district. Lastly, Dr. Clarke reminded school leaders of the emotional and logistical burden of the continued pandemic on teachers and families. She advised that, for faculty, space and support be thoughtfully given to lighten that continued burden. For low-income families, schools must remember to make resources available that allow families to be compliant of any COVID-related procedures or restrictions. 

Nicole Galante, PhD

Stony Brook University’s Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning in Community 

Dr. Galante shared CTLC’s progress in reimagining the function of technology in learning environments under the Teaching in Remote/Hybrid Learning Environments (TRLE) project under the NYSED Rethink Grant. Grant work is organized into three phases: focus group data collection, development of an evaluative framework for teaching in remote/hybrid learning environments, and testing that framework through continued feedback and refinement. 

Dr. Galante detailed the Center’s success over the past year progressing through phase 1 by running hundreds of focus groups for teachers, families, and administrators. Focus group data collection on the experience during remote/hybrid learning in the pandemic will inform CTLC’s work in phase 2. Over the coming year, the Center will develop and implement the Quality Remote/Hybrid Teaching (QRT) Framework, which will define core competencies and promising practices in Remote/Hybrid learning environments. These pedagogical initiatives which will drive teacher development and district growth areas in this forever changed educational landscape.