Connecting Through Zoom: A Heartwarming Teaching Experience
December 5, 2023
Meet Carmel Suttor, a retired educator from Canada, who has been serving as a Virtual Volunteer English Teacher in our Virtual English Academy since April 2023. Carmel, originally from Australia, brings her wealth of teaching experience and a passion for education to our virtual classrooms. Earlier this year, Carmel wrote this beautiful reflection on her heartwarming teaching journey.
Every afternoon, I eagerly anticipate logging into Zoom. At four PM my time, which is two PM in Central America, our team of dedicated teachers convenes for a half-hour planning session. During these daily gatherings, we reflect on the previous day's lessons, address any student challenges, and occasionally speculate about whether any of them might be using ChatGPT. We also review the lesson plan for the day ahead. Through these meetings, I not only gain valuable insights into our teaching but also get to know my fellow volunteers on a personal level.
Let me introduce you to some of the incredible individuals I've had the privilege of working with:
Teacher Abby: Despite her busy life balancing a full-time job and LSAT studies, Abby's warmth and intelligence shine through. Her insights into working with kids are invaluable.
Teacher Daniel: An American musician auditioning for master's programs in Germany, Daniel joins us from a different time zone. His dedication to teaching and music is inspiring.
Teacher Erin: Hailing from Arizona, Erin brings a wealth of teaching experience and innovative ideas to every lesson. Her contributions have a lasting impact on our students.
Teacher Hayya: Juggling a busy schedule as a chemistry student, Hayya still manages to make time for Outreach360. Her dedication to education is truly commendable.
Teacher Ethan: An Outreach360 veteran adored by the kids, Ethan's presence brightens our virtual classroom whenever he joins us.
We are fortunate to have other dedicated volunteer teachers who return for multiple stints, continuing to make a difference in the lives of our students.
At the helm of our virtual classroom is Teacher Byron, a university student from Nicaragua. He acquired his fluent English while Outreach360 was still a small after-school program in Jinotega, Nicaragua. Now, as part of his Outreach360 university scholarship, he leads our sessions with calm expertise. Byron efficiently manages teacher schedules, ensuring each day is well-organized, and provides continuous support as we track our students' progress. His familiarity with the students and his encouraging nature help us connect with the kids on a deeper level.
At 2:30 PM in Central America, Teacher Byron opens the Zoom waiting room, and the screen comes to life as our eager young students join one by one. Each child has their unique story:
Liv is almost eleven and brimming with excitement.
Jaden looks forward to Teacher Ethan's lessons.
Kristen has a funny story to share.
Sophia makes sure to message each teacher individually.
Mateo proudly shows off something he's crafted.
Joshua is the silent observer, absorbing everything.
Once the breakout rooms are opened, we dive into teaching. Jaden, who describes his group as "the talkative bunch," helps me navigate the controls. His diplomatic approach to orienting new teachers is heartwarming. In no time, they're fully engaged in a vocabulary exercise, grasping concepts surprisingly quickly. Forty minutes pass in a flash.
After a short break, I find myself in another breakout room with Joshua and Mateo, two of our youngest students. I'm amazed at their knowledge about renewable energy and the environment, the current unit's theme. They tackle comprehension questions effortlessly and then craft a paragraph. Checking their Google Docs progress, I find no traces of ChatGPT—just genuine ten-year-old logic.
Joshua, quick-witted, sends me a message: "What do you call a fish with no eyes?" I'm stumped and admit that I don't know. Joshua's response? "A fsh." It's a moment of shared laughter, and I realize that telling jokes in a second language is a testament to their language skills.
Mateo, curious about our laughter, joins in the fun as we share the joke. As the breakout room closes, we bid each other farewell, and I genuinely express my anticipation for the next day's session. It's more than just teaching; it's building connections, one Zoom call at a time.
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Written by Carmel Suttor. Carmel has been serving as a Virtual Volunteer English Teacher in our Virtual English Academy since April 2023.
