The Culture of COVID-19

Episode 1: Join me as we begin our look into the impact of COVID-19 on education at the district level. Sitting down with me in this episode is Mrs. Lisa McCane, Superintendent of Augusta Independent Schools District in Augusta, Ky.  Ms. McCane has been at AIS since 2003 first as Principal, then assuming the role of Superintendent of the district in 2011. We discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the school district as a whole and how the culture of the school and community helped find success in crisis.

Episode 2 examines the effects of COVID-19 and distance learning at the school level. Joining me for this episode is Robin Kelsch, Principal at Augusta Independent School. Robin lives and breathes Augusta Panther Pride. Graduation from AIS himself in 1990, he returned to the school where he grew up to begin his career in Education. The list of positions he has held is length, Long-Term Sub, Special Education Teacher. P.E. Teacher, Health Teacher, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and finally landing the job he had dreamed about since he was 3 years old, Head Basketball Coach and Principal of AIS.  Join me for this episode, as Robin and I have an open, honest, and at times emotional conversation about distance learning, mental health and how the challenges of educating in a global pandemic has affected the staff, students and community, and how the culture of our building has helped us persevere.

In Episode 3 of The Culture of Covid-19, we are going to take a closer look at the back-end of Education and hear how technology, finance, and public relations were affected during the global pandemic and transition into distance learning. Joining me for this episode is Tim Litteral, Director of Finance, Director of  Technology, and Chief Information Officer for Augusta Independent School District.   Mr. Litteral is used to wearing many hats at once though. Since coming to AIS in 2008 he has served as both Middle and High School English and Journalism teacher, Track and Cross County Coach, and even the Voice of the Panthers during ball game broadcasts, all before transitioning into his administrative roles in 2014.  During this episode, Tim describes his experiences managing Technology during the transition from at school to at home learning, budget concerns for the future, and effectively communicating with students, parents, and the community during times of crisis.

Episode 4 gives us a look into how Class of 2020 seniors are feeling as they were launched into adulthood with the cancellation of their senior year and everything that occurs during that time.  Madison Kelsch is a Class of 2020 senior, well now graduate.  In this episode, Madison shares her thoughts and feelings about having the last bit of her childhood replaced by non-traditional instruction and virtual graduation and gives us a great insight into the impact that the pandemic has had on students like her.

Episode 5: Listen to the perspectives of these teachers from Augusta Independent School and how the COVID-19 had an impact on them.