Isolation, Burnout, and a Lost Sense of Belonging: Combating the Challenges of Distance Education during a Pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 forced a rapid shift from in-person to online learning in both K-12 and postsecondary schools. Some teachers and students adapted well to the shift while others continue to struggle. Common complaints from teachers who struggle in the new distance learning environment are feelings of isolation and burnout. One of the most significant losses students are experiencing is the sense of belonging they would normally develop in a traditional, face-to-face classroom setting. This chapter offers research-based best practices to combat isolation, burnout, and lost sense of belonging. It concludes with a discussion of what administrators, teachers, and teacher educators should have learned from 2020 to support teachers and students through COVID-19 and beyond.