STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - While De La Salle Collegiate teachers have transitioned from in-person classrooms to distance-learning environments, the Slussers and VanThommes are adjusting to other COVID-19 pandemic challenges. 

The Slussers and VanThommes, who teach theology and science, respectively, have experienced their own set of issues while adjusting to online learning, at the all-boys’ Lasallian Catholic high school. 

Dave and Shelley Slusser had their daily routines upended when a pipe burst in their kitchen three weeks ago. Water caused significant damage to the floor as well as the laundry room in the basement. The kitchen floor has been removed. But the Slussers, along with their two children, are washing dishes in the bathroom.

“It’s been a challenge,” Dave said. 

For the time being, the Slussers are sharing their online classroom space with kitchen appliances in the dining room. The damage is covered under homeowners' insurance, which is also providing a laundry service that comes once each week. 

Luckily, no such catastrophes for Jackie and Tom VanThomme. They’re just happy to find enough time in the day to get through their classes and lesson plans while trying to entertain daughters, Sarah, 6, and Madison, 2. 

The VanThommes take turns on the computer, trading off throughout the day with most of their class planning taking place late in the evening and into the early morning hours when the girls are sleeping. 

The transition has been relatively smooth, Jackie said, with one exception: when she ran out of loose-leaf paper. She’s now writing math notes on large stickers to display to students during video calls. 

“Sometimes the kids get freaked out about the math,” Jackie said, out her students. 

But for the most part, distance learning has been seamless, though the VanThommes miss seeing their students in the classrooms and hallways. 

“I miss greeting the kids as they walk into school,” Tom said. “I miss those interactions, seeing what kind of day they are having. It’s difficult to understand emotion and feeling in emails.” 

Jackie added, “I miss (the students) asking questions that eventually get to another aspect of science. Right now it is more structured. I like to see them reach these conclusions without leading them there.”

Jackie said she particularly missed hosting her annual March Mammal Madness, a virtual battle between organisms in a tournament-like bracket. 

“We never got to continue,” she said. “We have 200 kids between the two of us, and we are trying to think of a way to incorporate it.” 

The Slussers said also miss their students.

“I’m sad. I teach a lot of seniors, and I won’t have a chance to say goodbye,” said Dave, a De La Salle alumnus, who graduated in 1993. “This has been really hard, and I can’t imagine how tough it must be for them.”

Shelly added, “sometimes it’s difficult to get a good picture (of the students) on Google Meets. I use Snapchat a lot. I get to see the students. They are more relaxed with the one on one.” 

Connectivity presents another set of potential problems for families like the Slussers, who are oftentimes on the Internet. They are learning firsthand how demands on bandwidth can cause issues for two working teachers and their school-aged children. Son Michael, a freshman at De La Salle, and daughter Angelina, a sixth-grader at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Grosse Pointe Woods, are online throughout the day, too. 

“Michael is usually up early, and gets his work done by 10 a.m.,” Shelley said. “He doesn’t like it hanging over his head. We don’t need to remind him or pressure him. He loves De La Salle.” 

Jackie VanThomme chairs the Science Department and is now conducting regular video conferences online with her colleagues. She’s also an International Baccalaureate teacher and involved in scheduling those online meets at least three times a week. 

The VanThommes note that teaching biology and chemistry presents unique challenges for teachers trying to cover a curriculum virtually. But both are also learning different ways of teaching and may incorporate more of the flipped-classroom concept when schools return to in-person instruction. 

Like other IB teachers, Jackie is working with her IB seniors on their cumulative assessments, essentially a project. 

“All IB tests have been canceled for the 2020 seniors,” she said, “so the assessments are really important.”

The change in routine has also allowed the VanThommes to spend valuable time with their girls. Sarah, the oldest, recently learned to ride a bicycle without training wheels and is adapting well to her online school work.

“She enjoys learning on ABC Mouse which was opened to school districts for free,” Jackie said. “They earn tickets playing games, and can earn a virtual pet, just like at Chuckie Cheese.” 

The Slussers are trying to stick to a routine. Eating breakfast together in the morning, working online during more traditional school hours, and reaching out and answering emails until 8 p.m.

Dave and Shelley work at the same table together all day, with the noise of construction tools a few feet away, and constant dust.

“We remind each other to take attendance, to call students,” Shelly said, “but also to take a break.”