What was it like to graduate from high school during COVID-19? We spoke with three members of the class of 2020 to find out: Diamon Patterson (Petersburg High School in Petersburg City Public Schools), Ray Pleasants (Powhatan High School in Powhatan County Public Schools), and Glenic Sandiford (Huguenot High School in Richmond Public Schools). This is part one of a two part series.

What does college access look like during COVID-19? We spoke with Tomika Ferguson (VCU Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership), Tomika Brown (Director of the College Place, Virginia-Alexandria), Amy Jefferson (VCU PhD Student in Curriculum, Culture, and Change and parent of a rising high school senior), Charleita Richardson (President and CEO of Partnership for the Future), Diamond Scott (Class of 2020 graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond Public Schools), and Jontae Burton (Class of 2020 Graduate from Henrico High School in Henrico County Public Schools) about how COVID has impacted their work and plans for the future.

We spoke with Carmen Ward (Counseling Director at Armstrong High School in Richmond Public Schools), Ashton Guza (Counselor at Goochland High School in Goochland County Public Schools), Tammy Mizelle (Counseling Director at Quioccasin Middle School in Henrico County Public Schools), and Matt Shenker (Elmont Elementary School Counselor in Hanover County Public Schools) about remotely meeting the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students across K12 during COVID-19.

We spoke with Steve Castle (Hanover County Public Schools), Grady Hart (Richmond Public Schools), Christina Aquilina (Henrico County Public Schools), Nadia Hassan (Powhatan County Public Schools), Oscar Keyes (Virginia Commonwealth University), and Demond Morris (Goochland County Public Schools) about how they navigated the rapid transition to online learning during COVID-19, including the challenges they encountered and strategies they found helpful.

We spoke with Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin (Superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools) and Dr. Avril Smart-Goggins (Research and Engagement Manager for Future Ready Schools at the Alliance for Excellent Education) about the digital divide in urban school systems, including innovative strategies for providing reliable access to internet and learning devices for students.

Jon Becker (VCU School of Education), John Hendron (Goochland), Alma Kenup (Quioccasin Middle School, Henrico), Peter Martin (Goochland), David Naff (MERC/VCU School of Education), Jesse Senechal(MERC/VCU School of Education), and Alissa Yazinski ( Monacan High School, Chesterfield)discuss the topic of digital equity in the time of COVID, including challenges with technology access and use and the importance of staying connected with students.

This episode features Cara Jean O'Neal (Henrico), Laura Faulcon (Chesterfield), Krystal Thomas (UVA), and Jesse Senechal (VCU/MERC) from the study team for the MERC Professional Development for Success in Culturally Diverse Schools Survey. We discussed the findings of our region wide Cultural Diversity in Schools Survey, as well as what we learned along the way as a study team and how we hope this report will help inform research, policy, and professional development related to cultural diversity.

We spoke with (left to right) Raye Rector (Director of Gifted and Federal Programs), Courtney Grady (Freshman at Longwood University and Class of 2019 Graduate from GHS), Bruce Watson (Director of Career and Technical Education), Brandon Avram (Junior at GHS), Demond Morris (Senior at GHS), and Beth Fowler (Director of School Counseling at GHS) from Goochland County Public Schools about experiential learning in their division. GCPS offers a variety of educational opportunities designed to make sure that all students are ready for life after high school, including programs supporting college and career readiness. Listen to learn about the importance of these programs for helping all students feel a sense of connection and purpose in school. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Assistant Director).

We spoke with (left to right) Merv Daugherty (Superintendent), Isabelle Battle (Class of 2019 Graduate of Academy 360), Michelle Wilder (Assistant Principal at Carver College and Career Academy), Laura Faulcon (Assistant Principal of Alternative Programs), and Sharonda Smith (English Teacher at Academy 360) about alternative education in Chesterfield County Public Schools. CCPS offers a variety of alternative education programs to meet the needs of their large and diverse student body. Listen to learn more about the mission of alternative education, who benefits from these programs, and how they fit into the broader vision of equity for the division. Hosted by David Naff (MERC Assistant Director).

We spoke with Diane Lewis (Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Program Specialist with VDOE Training and Technical Assistance Center at VCU), Torrey Manson (PCPS Director of Special Education), Phyllis Haynes (Co-Director VDOE Training and Technical Assistance Center at VCU), and Kelly Tobe (PCPS Director of Teaching and Learning) about the LETRS initiative in Petersburg City Public Schools. LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) is a flexible literacy professional development for teachers that shows how reading, writing, and language are related. Listen to learn more about this program and how it has impacted teaching and learning in Petersburg. Hosted by Cindy Sinanian (Hanover Teacher).