Teacher Carolina Espinoza narrates her experience of teaching children without the Internet

Every afternoon Carolina Espinoza , 40 years old, travels on her bicycle several neighborhoods in the canton of Playas in search of the students who could not connect to the virtual classes she teaches in the morning.

Teacher Carolina Espinoza narrates her experience of teaching children without the Internet

For her protection when leaving the house Carolina wears a mask and glasses . He also carries with him a small acrylic board , markers and some sets of the educational cards , reproduced on his old printer.

Regardless of the sun and the dusty streets, he arrives at children’s homes to teach under protective measures.

For the two weeks since this initiative was launched, more than 13 seventh and fifth grade children from the Juan Bautista Yagual Educational Unit in Playas, who do not have Internet access, have received it with joy.

There are no hugs, and when she notices that a child does not have a mask,  she provides him with one made by her. He does not enter the homes of his students but  teaches outside ,  to maintain distance.

Espinoza says it is gratifying to see them excited when he arrives on his bike . “They thank me for going to look for them, but for me  there is no better pay than their smile . I could not allow them to stay without studying and fall behind. They had to be on the same level as the other children who can connect. “

He relates that the initiative to go to the homes to carry the material and explain it arose after learning about the different problems that mothers go through so that their children participate in virtual classes. “Many mamitas told me that they had no money to recharge or if the children did they would run out of food . Others told me that the neighbor had changed their password . It was very hard to hear all of that. “

Carolina assures that despite the opposition of her own family, she did not hesitate to answer them: “Do not worry or spend, that I came to your houses.” “They told me that I was going to get sick , not to go out, but for me this was the time to help the children who need it most because they are the ones who will remember me,” he confesses.

Cecibel Chacho, mother of a minor, considers that the teacher’s work is an example to follow . “More teachers should join. It helped me a lot because my daughter couldn’t connect. Now she understands the task and I can help her. “

Carolina Espinoza’s home visits have allowed three students with disabilities in her course to take classes. Among the students she has is a minor with down syndrome, a girl who does not listen or speak and a boy with intellectual disabilities.

He acknowledges that although the work is complex with these groups, he seeks ways to deliver education . “Teachers have had to reinvent ourselves the ways of teaching. I bring them printed drawings of happy, sad, angry faces for them to indicate how they feel and according to what they choose, I ask why they are like this ”. In them, he says, the use of a tablet would help them in their learning. “It would be great if someone helps them.” (I)

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/society/6/profesora-carolina-espinoza-docente-calle