Andrea Gjertsen has been a teacher for 28 years and has always had a specific method of doing so.  She teaches Honors and AP Chemistry at Arlington High School, and works with students in grades 10th through 12th. Gjertsen describes the beginning of this different school year in one word – challenging. She further explains that this year included lots of change and adjustment along with a huge learning curve.   

Thankfully, Gjertsen expressed, the school gave teachers an extra week before students returned which left her among others feeling prepared to handle the new technology and prep. When describing how her students are handling the change, she states, “They seem to be positive but everything is so new and different so it’s difficult to tell yet.” The first two weeks of school have gone exactly how Gjertsen planned for her — slow.  

“When you’ve taught the same thing for so many years, it’s hard to go back and script,” Gjertsen said. She explains that she feels the biggest challenge of this year is the amount of work doubling and finding enough time in the day to get everything done. One way these changes have required Ms. Gjertsen to change her style of teaching includes her using videos, one thing she never thought she would do. However, she believes Arlington Community Schools has supported her by responding to any requests rapidly.   

With the current schedule, Ms. Gjertsen doesn’t believe that all of the curriculum will be covered in the way it should be. Because Gjertsen teaches an AP course, she also has to be concerned with the way College Board will alter the testing and requirements to fit the reduced time in the classroom, as well as finding a way to complete AP Chemistry labs that usually take more than one class period.  

“I appreciate that the students and parents are understanding the stress teachers are under right now. We’re all in this together and if we work together, we’ll find success,” Gjertsen said. Her advice to her students is to “Hang in there. It has to get better!”