ARIZONA NEWS

Chandler teachers want to return to classrooms when virus metrics decline

Jan 6, 2021, 4:45 AM

(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)...

(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Chandler Unified School District resumes classes virtually instead of in-person on Wednesday following a governing board decision earlier this week.

Teachers in the district are hoping they can go back to their classrooms in two weeks, as voted on by the district’s governing board, but only if COVID-19 numbers are trending downward.

“Hopefully the numbers are down and we can return to in-person instruction because that’s really where we would like to be,” Katie Nash, a science teacher in the district, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“As long as everybody is doing their part to allow us to return to school safely, then we are absolutely happy to be back in the classrooms.”

Nash is also the president of the Chandler Education Association, which called on the district’s governing board to delay in-person classes citing COVID-19 concerns.

Her group surveyed 1,200 staff members in mid-December. It found about 65% of them did not feel safe returning to work in-person right after the holiday break and about 70% preferred virtual instruction for at least the first two weeks.

The Chandler Unified School District’s governing board voted Monday night to delay a return to classroom learning until Jan. 19. This allows students and their families to quarantine if they traveled or attended large gatherings over the holidays.

“Most of us are really happy with this decision,” Nash said. “It is allowing us to just sort of press reset and get everybody back into that mind of being careful.”

She acknowledged that “it’ll take a while” for the COVID-19 numbers in Arizona to go back down but is optimistic.

She also noted that as students return to in-person classes in two weeks, teachers will likely start getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad on Monday that teachers are expected to start getting the COVID-19 vaccine in about two weeks.

Educators are in Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan. Pinal and Gila are the only counties in Arizona that are in Phase 1B as of Tuesday, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Nash said she “absolutely” is planning to get in line for the vaccine.

“I am a science teacher, so I have read some of the studies about it,” she said. “The way that it works and its effectiveness is pretty high, as well as its safety.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Eyes on Education presented by:

Maricopa Community Colleges

Arizona News

Ruben Gallego...

KTAR.com

Democrat Ruben Gallego projected to beat Kari Lake, become Arizona’s next US senator

Democrat Ruben Gallego was projected to defeat Republican Kari Lake and become Arizona's next U.S. senator on Monday night.

2 hours ago

The five Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seats were up for grabs during the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

1 Maricopa County supervisor race could be headed to a recount

The contest to fill Republican Bill Gates’ seat on the powerful Maricopa County Board of Supervisors could be heading to a recount.

2 hours ago

The eastbound lanes of I-10 are closed at Warner Road due to a car crash according, to the Arizona ...

Roxanne De La Rosa

I-10 eastbound lanes closed at Warner Road

The eastbound lanes of I-10 are closed at Warner Road due to a car crash according, to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

3 hours ago

Buckeye Police traffic officer completes 3-week course...

Aaron Schmidt

Buckeye officer completes motorcycle training as department reestablishes motor unit

Dante Herron, a Buckeye Police traffic officer, completed his certification to become part of the department's new motorcycle unit, authorities said.

4 hours ago

A pregnant woman's unborn baby died after being involved in a multiple vehicle crash Sunday afterno...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Crash leaves pregnant woman’s unborn baby dead in Phoenix

A pregnant woman's unborn baby died after being involved in a multiple vehicle crash Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.

5 hours ago

Arizona's 6th Congressional District 2024 election updates...

KTAR.com

Republican Juan Ciscomani neck and neck with Democrat Kirsten Engel in race for Arizona’s CD6

The race between Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel in Arizona's 6th Congressional District remains too close to call.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Chandler teachers want to return to classrooms when virus metrics decline