Kristen Tordella-Williams and Matthew Holl
Recorded
February 27, 2021
Archived
February 27, 2021
41:13 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby020458
Description
Spouses Kristen Tordella-Williams (33) and Matthew Holl (43) discuss their experiences as arts teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges they have encountered.Subject Log / Time Code
MH and KT talk about their first StoryCorps recording, and how things have changed since then. MH talks about his choice to stop working as a French and Spanish teacher.
MH talks about becoming a Theater teacher. He describes some of the ways the pandemic has affected his work, and has highlighted certain critical issues in the educational system.
MH and KT talk about some of the communication issues within their school district that have come to the forefront during the pandemic.
KT and MH talk about school funding coming from test scores and attendance. MH talks about pushing for returning to in-person classes to support their population of homeless students.
KT and MH discuss mask-wearing in schools, and the lack of compliance by certain students and staff. KT talks about her hopes for the future, and being able to see people and teach without worrying about COVID.
KT and MH discuss the challenges of hybrid learning, and the challenge of teaching hands-on courses virtually. They discuss their unique experiences as arts teachers in the digital learning space.
KT and MH reflect on grief in the pandemic, and the sense of lost opportunity.
MH and KT discuss being undervalued, and feeling like their district cares more about control than about education.
KT discusses how being able to make art and connect with her students keeps her in the classroom.
Participants
- Kristen Tordella-Williams
- Matthew Holl