Date on Honors Thesis

Spring 5-2022

Major

English Education Secondary Certification

Examining Committee Member

Dr. M. Sue Sroda, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Raymond Horton, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Eric Batts, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Due to the many changes wrought on our society by the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers in high schools have had to dramatically alter their methods of teaching in order to comply with new rules and regulations. These guidelines, deemed safe by the CDC, have completely upended traditional high school classrooms and left teachers scrambling to effectively teach their content and assess student learning. The purpose of this research is to determine the successes and/or failures of high school teachers’ teaching strategies that have undergone dramatic adaptations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. One goal of this research is to produce a concise understanding of effective teaching strategies for future teachers living in the post-COVID world. I began this project by examining and analyzing past research on effective teaching strategies. Then I conducted interviews with high school English teachers in the Western Kentucky region to obtain a greater understanding of the changes and challenges high schools faced over the course of the pandemic. My research focuses primarily on the teacher perspective, although, when determining the effectiveness of certain teaching strategies, I have taken into account important student variables such as socioeconomic status, learning styles, and their physical, mental, and emotional health. This research argues that, in order to move forward, we cannot allow ourselves to become fixed to a new “normal.” Rather, with the help of technology and continuously evolving teaching strategies, significant growth will become apparent. Through this research I have also highlighted the resilience and ingenuity of our educators in Western Kentucky despite unprecedented circumstances and hope to encourage future generations of aspiring teachers.

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