'I think I've gotten more out of it than they have gotten out of it,' Local woman gives kids normalc

'I think I've gotten more out of it than they have gotten out of it,' Local woman gives kids normalcy by transforming a house into school during remote learning

Information.

Students... parents... and educators are forced to deal with the pandemic's impact on learning.

In just these last few days...we've shown you stories highlighting the consequences of an ever-changing school year.

Several studies show many young kids are falling behind on critical milestones in their education.

But as news 10's alia blackburn explains... a local woman is taking it upon herself to keep kids connected... as schools remain remote.

(get your pencil!) (and sit in whichever seat you want) at april wolaver's house... (let's review your alphabet...) this is the norm... (kids counting a-b-c's) "i have been ely's babysitter for six years."

"everyone laughed, what are you going to do when he goes to school?"

"... and i said..

I'm going to school with him."

(okay, this is, what word is this?) "i renewed my substitute teacher's license, and i became a substitute teacher."

"i take him to school, we ride home, and i'm at school every day."

So when "covid-19" shut down ely's school..

It forced his kindergarten class to learn from home.

"i thought what can i do to help our school... what can i do to help our community and what can i do to help a few parents?"

*nat pops of camera clicking* so april decided to do some... redecorating... "i took a lot of furniture out of my house..."

"this is more than my home, this is a classroom... this is recess... this is a playground.."

"it really, truly is a school..."

Every week... ely... and his two best friends, charlie and kaitlyn... are dropped off at mrs. w's house.

(use covered hand over heart) (i pledge allegiance, to the flag) where they start their school day with the pledge... announcements... and... some quality time... with their actual teacher... thru video chat.

"she discusses what their days work is, what they should do, she generally reads them a story."

("lets see if we can blend it!"

That's when... mrs. w.... takes it from there.

(we're going to think about it, and then we're going to say it) "we review sight words..."

(8, 9, 10!!!) "we count to 100..."

(alright, today's rudolph the rednose reindeer) "kindergartners are learning to read" "we have story time."

"i'm facilitating the work and the foundation that their teacher has already laid down."

"they're coming to mrs. w's house to see their friends, but they are truly learning while they are here."

*nat pop of camera click* all while creating... some "picture perfect moments"... along the way... and though this precious time... won't last forever... (*reading* santa came to see the new arrival!) this class enjoys every minute... (*reading* my name is hermie, said the elf) and every page... they spend together.

"if i'm cheerful, they're cheerful... if they are cheerful, i'm cheerful."

Mixing work... and some play... "it brings a sense of normalcy to these children..."

"i think i've gotten more out of it than they have gotten out of it..."

To get that "normal feeling" we "all" seem to crave.

In vigo county... alia blackburn, news 10.