As National Teacher Appreciation Week wraps up, lots of parents are having to become teachers within their own homes due to COVID-19 closing school buildings for the rest of the year.

Jefferson resident Toni Wetrich has six school age children in the Greene County School District and she says it’s been a challenging time for her to balance working from home while also helping kids with their learning opportunities. However, she tells Raccoon Valley Radio her kids look forward to interacting with their teachers and classmates online. Wetrich says teachers are providing lessons for her kids on a weekly basis and teachers give feedback and respond to their questions, which she greatly appreciates.

“We just wanted to say ‘thank you’ and that we definitely appreciate all of the work that they’re putting into not only doing the lesson plans, creating work for them to be able to do from home, and they’re continuing to engage with them (the kids) even though they’re not in a classroom. So that’s very much appreciated.”

Greene County School District Superintendent Tim Christensen expresses his appreciation to the teachers for their efforts to continue to provide education to students in a completely different manner.

“Just can’t say enough and thank the teachers enough for everything that they are doing. This is unprecedented and to completely change the way you’re teaching, which you’re doing, and all of those types of things. Everybody has stepped up to the plate and (I) really appreciate everything that they are doing.”

National Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 4th-8th.