RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Congressman Donald McEachin hosted an online town hall Tuesday night that gave parents an opportunity to hear from education experts on navigating at-home education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The goal is to try to empower parents,” said Rep. McEachin before the event Tuesday. “Parents right now having to teach their children, work from home, do a myriad of things, have a myriad of pressures on them. And so, this is one thing that we thought would be helpful as to help them understand how to teach their children at home.
“My guess is that they're doing some things right. They may be doing a few things wrong. But, by having this webinar, if you will, it will give them the reassurance that they know what they're doing, or have a better idea, at least, of what they're doing,” added McEachin.
I know this is a difficult time for many parents who are working hard to help their students complete the school year online. On Tuesday 4/28 @ 5:30PM I will be hosting a panel of education experts to share best practices. Register today at https://t.co/sUDOb57NuN pic.twitter.com/pYEojxPOZ5
— Rep. Donald McEachin (@RepMcEachin) April 23, 2020
Among the panelists was Richmond Public School teacher and 2019 National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson.
“The number one thing that parents should have to do during this time is to make sure your child is mentally strong. They're going through a lot right now and it's really important to make sure that their mental health is in a good place,” said Robinson. “I think the school districts of Virginia have done a great job of providing online resources and those who don't have access to online resources, that the state is doing a great job and ensuring that they have things to learn.”
The panel will also include Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, YWCA Director of Child & Family Services Kathleen Eastman, Ecoff Elementary Physical Education Teacher Shauna Anderson, and 2019 Virginia Milken Educator of the Year & Carter G. Woodson Middle Assistant Principal Ryan Sykes.
The panel was moderated by CBS 6 This Morning Co-Anchor Reba Hollingsworth.
Honored to moderate this Zoom event this evening. Parents, an excellent panel of educators lined up to help and answer your questions about educating your children at home during a global pandemic. @CBS6 @RepMcEachin @JasonKamras @VASecofEdu @RodRobinsonRVA #RVA pic.twitter.com/uVIkdkOVb2
— Reba Hollingsworth (@RebaCBS6) April 28, 2020
If you were unable to join the panel live, a recording of the event can be found here.
Following the conclusion of that panel, Robinson led a Twitter chat discussing education equity during COVID-19.
Join @CCSSO and I for an important Twitter Chat for educators. "Promoting Educational Equity During Covid-19" Tuesday at 7pm. We will highlight the experiences of educators as we adjust to the changes to our lives and daily routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. #chatwithNTOY19 pic.twitter.com/sSVlR2SSjW
— Rodney Robinson (@RodRobinsonRVA) April 26, 2020
