The Virtual World

Virtual Teacher vs. Brick-and-Mortar Teacher

In years after Covid, the landscape of education transformed significantly, leading to the rise of virtual teaching. This shift has prompted many teachers to consider the differences between working as a virtual teacher and in a traditional brick-and-mortar school. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages. After working in a virtual school for one year, here are my thoughts.

As a virtual teacher having the flexibility in schedule is a huge deal. Don't think it's easy but being able to work from any location that you have access to Wi-Fi is amazing. When you have kids that play travel sports and you coach a travel team, that kind of flexibility is amazing. It also allows me to connect with students from different parts of SC. It's amazing the stories I hear from kids. I have kids who work on farms, are care-givers, travel for sports, or live in areas where the commute to school is over an hour. There are a lot of rural areas in SC.

After finishing my first year of virtual teaching, probably the biggest struggle is limited social interactions with students. I do miss the camaraderie and support that comes from working alongside colleagues in a physical setting. Also, being to engage with students face to face. It's hard to convince high schoolers to turn on their camera. Their appearance may be a reason they are not in a brick-and-mortar school. Keeping students engaged in a virtual environment can be challenging, as distractions are more prevalent at home. To be honest the biggest distraction are the kids themselves, just like in a brick-and-mortar school. The chat board can go crazy sometimes which can make it distracting for the kids and the teacher. Virtual teaching relies heavily on technology, which can lead to issues if technical problems arise. As I mentioned before a lot of the kids live in rural areas of the state where Wi-Fi can be hard to get, if any. I will say me school does a good job with technology. They are not the best equipment but the kids are supplied with a computer, a printer, and headphones.

Don't get me wrong, working in a brick-and-mortar school is amazing. I did it for almost 20 years. I miss being able to interact with other teachers. Interacting with students in the classroom and in the hallways (I have only taught secondary education). The different clubs, sports, and activities. Being able to support your school or a student in sports, performance, or concert. I am naturally an introverted person. So a lot of lot was draining for me but I enjoyed it.

Ultimately, the choice between working as a virtual teacher or in a brick-and-mortar school depends on personal preferences, teaching styles, and career goals. Each environment offers unique advantages and challenges that can significantly impact an educator's experience and effectiveness. Understanding these differences can help teachers make informed decisions about their careers in education.