Waco Journal
Saturday, April 18, 2026
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • News
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
  • Local News
  • Crime
  • News
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Waco Journal
No Result
View All Result

Waco ISD teachers reflect on the unique school year and its challenges

by Gavin Wright
January 3, 2021
in Education
Waco ISD teachers reflect on the unique school year and its challenges
WACO, TX — The first half of the 2020-2021 school year was a challenge for teachers, students, and families.

Throughout the pandemic, teachers have still found creative ways to roll with the punches.

“It’s stressful at times,” said Selena Rivas, a kindergarten teacher at Provident Heights Elementary. “But it has been a very good experience.”

Whether it’s teaching 5-year-olds or teens, the pandemic has been a life-changing experience no one expected.

“I was never expecting this to happen,” said Rivas.

For the last several months, teachers at Waco ISD have continuously adapted.

“It just requires constant flexibility and being able to adapt any day that we wake up, which has been a challenge,” said Cassandra Hindes, an 8th-grade math teacher at Cesar Chavez Middle School.

Hindes says her routine has changed multiple times this school year due to COVID-19. Some days she is in the classroom with her students, and other days she is at home teaching virtually.

“We are all just doing our best, and I know people are frustrated and tired, but just trying to keep it in perspective and that this is something that the whole world is going through,” said the math teacher.

Rivas teaches both online and in-person students at the same time.

“The beginning part was how are lesson plans going to look and how will my kids learn,” said Rivas. “So I’ve been learning from it.”

Both Rivas and Hindes say it’s about taking it one day at a time.

“The kids make it worth it, even when I am super tired and having a hard time. I think most teachers, that is why we are there and come to school every day,” said Hindes.

Related Posts

1,400 scholarships worth more than $6 million have been awarded since October 2022 through a Texas Department of State Health Services program to fund emergency medical services education
Education

1,400 scholarships worth more than $6 million have been awarded since October 2022 through a Texas Department of State Health Services program to fund emergency medical services education

March 13, 2023

Waco, TX - Officials have announced that the scholarships are intended for those interested in beginning a career or volunteering...

Baylor University extends test-optional admissions policy for fall 2022, 2023
Education

Baylor University extends test-optional admissions policy for fall 2022, 2023

January 9, 2021

WACO, TX – As SAT/ACT testing availability remains challenging for high school students due to COVID-19, Baylor University has announced...

Baylor to require weekly COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff during spring semester
Education

Baylor to require weekly COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff during spring semester

January 9, 2021

WACO, TX — Baylor University has announced it will require weekly COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff during...

College application process very different for local seniors
Education

College application process very different for local seniors

January 3, 2021

WACO, TX - For many high school seniors, this time of year is often spent thinking about what they may...

Waco High Has Switched To Remote Learning
Education

Waco High Has Switched To Remote Learning

January 3, 2021

WACO, TX - Waco High-school has transitioned to remote learning! Remote instruction began today, December 18th due to a number...

Waco High School to close beginning Friday
Education

Waco High School to close beginning Friday

January 3, 2021

WACO, TX – Waco High School Principal James Stewart sent the following message to families and employees on Thursday: “Yesterday and today, two...

Texas agriculture commissioner Miller praises Strait of Hormuz reopening as relief for farmers facing rising costs, hours before it closes again amid U.S. blockade tensions
Texas

Texas agriculture commissioner Miller praises Strait of Hormuz reopening as relief for farmers facing rising costs, hours before it closes again amid U.S. blockade tensions

by Nolan Harris
April 18, 2026
0

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in a statement released April...

Read moreDetails
Governor Abbott praises President Trump’s bold accomplishments and vision in joint address to Congress

Texas economy grew faster than the nation in 2025 at 2.5% as it expanded to a record $2.9 trillion, Governor Abbott says productivity of the skilled workforce and entrepreneurs drove growth

April 18, 2026
Waco Police cadets complete pepper spray training exercise demonstrating resilience under pressure

Waco Police cadets complete pepper spray training exercise demonstrating resilience under pressure

April 18, 2026
Waco fire department responds to structure fire on 4400 block of Lacey Circle

Waco fire crews respond to structure fire on the 9300 block of Royal Lane

April 18, 2026
Gov. Abbott presented with Sun and Star Legacy Award while highlighting Texas’ thriving economic partnership with Japan and continued leadership as Best State for Business for 21 consecutive years

Gov. Abbott presented with Sun and Star Legacy Award while highlighting Texas’ thriving economic partnership with Japan and continued leadership as Best State for Business for 21 consecutive years

April 16, 2026
Texas agriculture commissioner Miller praises Strait of Hormuz reopening as relief for farmers facing rising costs, hours before it closes again amid U.S. blockade tensions

Texas agriculture commissioner Miller praises Strait of Hormuz reopening as relief for farmers facing rising costs, hours before it closes again amid U.S. blockade tensions

by Nolan Harris
April 18, 2026
0

Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in a statement released April...

Governor Abbott praises President Trump’s bold accomplishments and vision in joint address to Congress

Texas economy grew faster than the nation in 2025 at 2.5% as it expanded to a record $2.9 trillion, Governor Abbott says productivity of the skilled workforce and entrepreneurs drove growth

by Nolan Harris
April 18, 2026
0

Texas - The office of Greg Abbott announced that the Texas economy reached a record $2.9 trillion in 2025, according...

Waco Police cadets complete pepper spray training exercise demonstrating resilience under pressure

Waco Police cadets complete pepper spray training exercise demonstrating resilience under pressure

by Nolan Harris
April 18, 2026
0

Waco, TX - The Waco Police Department shared that its cadets recently completed a key part of their academy training...

Waco fire department responds to structure fire on 4400 block of Lacey Circle

Waco fire crews respond to structure fire on the 9300 block of Royal Lane

by Nolan Harris
April 18, 2026
0

Waco, TX - The Waco Fire Department reported that crews responded to a structure fire in the 9300 block of...

About Us

A community needs news and Waco Journal is proud to serve 50,000 households each month through our website covering Waco and the other local counties.

Learn more

Recent Stories

  • Texas agriculture commissioner Miller praises Strait of Hormuz reopening as relief for farmers facing rising costs, hours before it closes again amid U.S. blockade tensions
  • Texas economy grew faster than the nation in 2025 at 2.5% as it expanded to a record $2.9 trillion, Governor Abbott says productivity of the skilled workforce and entrepreneurs drove growth

Categories

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • News
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
Currently Playing

© 2023 Waco Journal

  • Local News
  • Crime
  • News
  • COVID-19
  • Texas
  • Education
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result