In this time of online teaching, one Mercedes teacher took a day off on May 8 to instruct her students in person. Donning gloves and a face mask while carrying around a large bottle of hand sanitizer, Mercedes High School physics teacher Roxana Merino stepped out to help some of her students with their assignments.
Merino first set a block of time in the morning to teach and/or tutor her students outside the high school. Then she took the afternoon to visit some of her transportation-challenged students at their homes. Though she had to remain outside and maintain her distance, her efforts at the school and home were still effective.
Merino took the initiative because she believed more students would turn in their assignment packets if they had some in-person support.
“Teachers really do want all of their students to pass and will do whatever is necessary to help them,” Merino said. “I have many seniors and juniors, and I wanted to ensure they stayed on course for graduation or promotion.”
Whether it is a regular or online class, Merino advises students to reach out to their teachers when they do not understand something.
“Even if you can’t meet with your teachers in person, you can still email, call or video them. Just a little bit of communication and effort will make a huge difference in your grade,” she said.
MHS Principal Orlando Rodriguez witnessed Merino teaching outside the high school on May 8.
“I was walking to my office when I happened to see Ms. Merino teaching in the bus drop area. She was teaching a student and parent!” Rodriguez said. “She was out there making sure her students understood their lessons and turned in their assignments. It was very inspiring.”