What COVID Teaching Taught Me
Teacher and Learning After COVID
COVID: Led by Families, Inspired by Learners
March 2020: Schools shut down, and education transformed in an instant. Chromebooks went home with students, and teaching became fully virtual. As an educator and parent, I quickly saw the challenges families faced in supporting their children’s learning. The gap between “school language” and home life was growing, and parents were struggling to understand how to help. Teaching and learning had evolved significantly since most parents were in school, and communication between schools and families wasn’t improving.
Jen & Yvonne 2020 on our first EmpowLearn webinar
Recognizing this, a colleague and I launched EmpowLearn, a company dedicated to bridging this gap. As parents, with over 20 years of teaching experience each, we brought our expertise—hers in literacy and mine in math—to help families navigate the world of virtual education. Our mission was to empower parents to support their children by simplifying complex standards and providing practical strategies.
I created daily instructional videos for families, breaking down academic concepts into accessible steps. These videos explained not only what students were learning but why it mattered and how parents could reinforce it at home. Families appreciated the guidance, and it was rewarding to see how much of a difference clear, accessible communication could make.
Despite the impact we had, EmpowLearn as a for-profit business ultimately wasn’t sustainable. While the families we worked with were grateful, the financial model didn’t align with our vision of providing widespread, affordable support. The experience, however, left me with a deeper understanding of the importance of family-school partnerships and how vital it is to empower parents in their children’s learning journey.
Jen,The MathaMagician, 2021
After EmpowLearn, I launched The MathaMagician to focus on foundational math skills for pre-K and kindergarten learners. I developed tools like Recycling Math and Unit Studies to promote hands-on, real-world applications of math concepts. I believed I had found a niche among homeschooling and unschooling families, and while the venture didn’t take off as I had hoped, it reinforced my belief of parents being critical partners in learning.
A New Chapter: Embracing Leadership
In August 2023, my administration mentors asked me a pivotal question: “Why aren’t you an administrator?” Sitting in my principal’s office, analyzing SBAC data, I realized it was time to take the next step in my career. That night, I began applying to UNLV’s Educational Leadership and Policy program. I knew that if I ever started my own school, I wanted to be the one leading it.
Graduation Day May 2025
In May of 2025 I graduated with my second masters from UNLV. I knew I wanted to learn more and be more. I applied to schools outside my district for the administrative role. I thought I would be promoted and when our school was facing a significant budget cut, I volunteered to surplus myself to save another teacher in our building.
Led by Learners: My Vision for the Future
After interviewing for assistant principal positions I saw how much I need to relearn to be ready to lead teachers in a school after being out of the classroom for almost a decade. Participating in a district wide Grading Policy Feedback Group of administrators, teachers, parents and students provided me with a renewed effort to start student-led grading. Middle school students can be apathetic and unmotivated, but I think finding ways to connect students in creative ways to empower them in their learning will pay off.
Today, I carry the lessons I learned from these ventures into my classroom. My students, and their families, have shown me the power of connection, communication, and creativity. Every innovation I’ve embraced has been inspired by their needs, and I continue to be led by learners of all ages.
My classroom at Von Tobel
I embraced a new role, teaching science at Von Tobel Middle School, a school transitioning into an official STEM academy. I’m excited to learn a new curriculum and implement innovative, proficiency-based assessments helping students take ownership of their learning.
I am inspired by a new mentor, Starr Sackstein, who is an expert in empowering students through a grade-less classroom. Her book, Hacking Assessment, provides educators with guidance around a grade-less classroom and has inspired me to allow my students to take ownership of their learning, their grading and their growth in science content.
Through all my experiences, one thing has remained constant: I’ve been led by the learners in my life. Every child, colleague, and mentor has shaped my growth as an educator. The title of my blog, “Led by Learners,” reflects this belief. It’s a reminder that education is a two-way street. While teachers guide students, students also guide teachers by challenging us to grow, adapt, and dream bigger.
I invite you to join me on this journey. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or someone passionate about learning, I hope my experiences inspire you to make meaningful changes for the benefit of today’s and tomorrow’s learners.
Celebrating Excellence with the Golden Knights Olympic Medialists
Jen with Laurie Myers March 2025
How have your children, students or colleagues inspired you to grow?