At-Home Educational Resources
During these special circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, having accessible, educational resources for Foster Parents and children is vital. We have heard your questions and concerns and are here to help. On this page, you’ll find useful tools, videos, and documents to answer your common questions about in-home schooling, supporting diverse learning, and more. Additionally, you’ll find a form to submit a education-focused question to Win Biernacki, who is generously offering her immense knowledge and encouragement during this unprecedented time.
Education Resource Videos from Win Biernacki
Win Biernacki, longtime SOS Illinois supporter and wife of SOS Illinois Board Member and Former Board President, Don Biernacki, is graciously offering the following video segments for Foster Parents in order to answer your important questions on virtual learning, at-home education, and supporting your children’s academic needs during this health crisis. As a special education resource teacher and lifelong learner, Win is offering her expertise and advice in areas of parent-teacher outreach, making virtual learning work in your home, Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and e-learning, subject-specific knowledge, and more.
Featured Videos: 504s and IEPs, Parts 1-4
Online Learning with Win Educational Video Archives
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Meet Win
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Introduction, Part 1
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Introduction, Part 2
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Introduction, Part 3
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher, Part 1
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher, Part 2
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Modifying Your Child’s Assignment, Part 1
Online Learning with Win Biernacki: Modifying Your Child’s Assignment, Part 2
Online Learning Resources from Win
Throughout her videos, Win references helpful resources, documents, and tools that can be beneficial when undergoing online learning with your child. Those resources and more can be downloaded here.
Ask Win
Have an education-focused question for Win? Use the form here to submit your question and Win will respond, as she is available. Simple responses will be displayed in the Q&A below and lengthier responses will be featured in one of Win’s education resource videos.
Ask Win
Q&A With Win
Question: Where is the best place for my child to complete their school assignments?
Answer from Win: Quiet places away from common, in-reach distractions (like video games, cell phones, and toys) make the best at-home learning stations. Think of utilizing dinner tables, coffee tables, tv trays, desks, and more, to help provide distance between your children and offer a special place for your child to make into their “virtual classroom.”
Education Tips
Having a seperate workplace for each child in your home helps to minimize distractions and provide customized space suitable for that child’s specific needs.
Sticking to a specific schedule for virutal learning, “homework,” reading time, and more helps to maintain normalcy and will get your family into a natural groove.
Children with IEPs may have a paraprofessional aid, counselor, speech therapist, or more at their school that they would typically see on a regular basis. If they have not yet reached out to you, it is a good idea to reach out to them about how you can both best support the needs of your child during virutal learning.
Teenagers, middleschoolers, and young child have different learning needs and requirements based upon their academic expectations during virutal learning. Having a schedule or chart for each child’s learning requirements (such as Zoom classroom meetings or online quizzes) helps keep things on track.
For most parents, virutal and e-learning is a new practice. Practicing patience with yourself and your children will make the experience easier on everyone.