Confronting the What-Ifs of Learning (and Teaching) During COVID: Meet the Iowa Educators Helping One Rural School District Endure the Pandemic
This article, originally published by IowaWatch, is part of a collaborative project on pandemic reporting led by the Institute for Nonprofit News and its member newsrooms. (For more case studies on rural areas, visit .)
On November 16, gusty winds blew corn husks across the parking lot of South Hamilton Schools.
It was yet another day for the staff, as they struggled to keep up with the daily reports of sick students and faculty members. They made sure that the kids constantly used hand sanitizer and wore face masks, maintained proper social distancing during band practice and lunch periods, and seamlessly transitioned between teaching in person and virtually. They also dedicated extra time to help those who were struggling.
Even the lunchroom looks different this year. The cafeteria tables have limited seating, and extra tables have been set up in a balcony area of the high school gym. The smell of pasta with marinara and alfredo sauce fills the air, lingering near the school banners that proudly declare South Hamilton’s athletic achievements.
Here are more insights into the South Hamilton school district, which consists of over 700 students, and the surrounding community.
The Superintendent, Ken Howard, has an office that showcases the history of South Hamilton like a newly opened time capsule. The walls are adorned with historic mementos, including a 1968 program from the opening of the current school buildings in Jewell and the lyrics to the school song. There are also present reminders of this year, such as the mask that rarely leaves Howard’s face.
No one could have predicted the radical changes that would occur in the way Iowa educates its students. The Iowa Department of Education reports that there are 330 public school districts, with 487,652 students and 37,386 teachers, spread across 1,316 buildings. In mid-March, Howard witnessed the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Iowa and the United States, realizing that the pandemic had reached their doorstep.
"I saw this and thought, ‘Oh, our community is directly affected,’" Howard said.
Howard and the local community pooled their resources to ensure that the students remained on track with their education. Local telephone companies established WiFi connections to enable remote learning, and staff members put in extra hours to prepare lesson plans and come up with innovative teaching methods. Local churches opened their doors, providing socially distanced spaces for students to work on their laptops during the spring, summer, and fall.
The towns in the school district set up food distribution sites to support families facing financial hardship. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, Hamilton County’s unemployment rate rose to 9.2% in April but has been declining since then.
Leo Reiter, the mayor of Jewell, mentioned that Bethesda Lutheran Church operates a food pantry that helps feed the hungry. Reiter said, "Our local food bank offers drive-by pickup; they deliver supplies to people."
The band room at South Hamilton is equipped with a plastic tub labeled "USED" and a basket labeled "CLEAN." Inside each container are drumsticks, some of which have been sanitized. This is just one of the many steps taken to protect students from contracting the virus.
Band instructor Alexa Gibbs prioritizes cleanliness. With 140 band students from grades 7 to 12, the school’s auditorium has assigned seats marked six feet apart to ensure social distancing. Puppy housetraining pads are placed on the floor for brass players to use their spit valves, effectively soaking up any excess moisture.
"It’s better to have something rather than nothing," Gibbs said.
Steve Neuberger, who oversees the elementary school, and Jason Woodley, who is in charge of grades 7 to 12, both started their positions as principals in July. They faced the challenge of redesigning the schools to prioritize safety while also keeping students motivated and on track to graduate.
When Woodley entered the school lunchroom, where students not only have meals but also socialize, he approached it with a Disneyland-like perspective. He wanted to create a fun experience with enthusiastic employees, even if masks were required. "Let’s imagine that this cafeteria is the greatest place on earth," he suggested.
Various academic plans had to be developed to accommodate different scenarios: online-only learning, in-person classes, and a hybrid schedule that was used during the outbreak in mid-September.
"I feel like everyone is on board," Neuberger said. "This is something we have to do."
"People couldn’t fully comprehend it; it’s as if society has accepted the chaos of this year," Neuberger stated. "Ultimately, we will embrace the fact that we’re doing the best we can for our children."
Shelby Fonken, the school nurse, began her role prior to the 2020-21 school year. Among her responsibilities is monitoring students displaying symptoms of COVID-19. "Some days there may be no cases, but other days there could be up to 20," Fonken explained.
Fonken occupies a vital position between the South Hamilton school community and the threat of COVID-19. Students with fevers, coughs, or runny noses seek assistance in her office. She plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of students and staff, while also working with the public to prevent fear from overwhelming the community. Fonken conducts contact tracing for students who have tested positive for the virus, tracing their movements within a 48-hour period before they first experienced symptoms at school.
One important aspect of her job is providing COVID-19 information on the school website. South Hamilton regularly updates the number of absent students and staff due to the virus. Sharing this information is a bold move, as some school districts choose not to disclose it. "For me, there are no secrets when it comes to COVID," Woodley commented.
Since starting in August, Fonken has become an indispensable part of the South Hamilton team. "We’re all in this together," she stated. "We’ll get through it one day at a time."
Jeff Steines, an elementary physical education teacher in the South Hamilton school district, has taken initiative to keep children active during remote learning. He created his own YouTube channel called SHCoachSteines, where he posts videos for kids to follow along and participate in physical activities. From March to June, he organized a "Be Like Mike Challenge," encouraging students to perform and record their own basketball skills. Steines draws inspiration from NBA legend Michael Jordan, evident from the posters and photos of Jordan adorning his desk and office walls. Whether it involves using leaf blowers to keep a ball in the air or aiming at targets, Steines’ main objective is to keep students moving.
South Hamilton has leveraged technology to reach students during the pandemic. Thanks to improved broadband access provided by local providers, students now have better internet connectivity for their laptops. If there are students who are unable to attend in-person classes, Steines ensures that he finds a way to engage and include them. "If there’s an obstacle, we must overcome it," Steines emphasized.
This article, originally published by IowaWatch, is a contribution to the collaborative reporting project titled "Lesson Plans: Rural schools grapple with COVID-19." The project involves various organizations including the Institute for Nonprofit News, Charlottesville Tomorrow, El Paso Matters, Iowa Watch, The Nevada Independent, New Mexico in Depth, Underscore News/Pamplin Media Group, and Wisconsin Watch/The Badger Project. The collaboration was funded by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, which also supports .
