Rebecca Vitelli, MEd
Teaching Through the Screen Instead of on the Screen
Rebecca Vitelli advocates for equitable access to high-quality early education programs for all children that support their development during the first five years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she has provided remote instruction for children and their extended families; collaborated in whole group, small group, and individual sessions with therapists; and contributed to family events such as a Virtual Open House, Meet the Teacher Day, and Movie Night. In this podcast, Rebecca describes what a daily routine looks like in the virtual classroom, the importance of family coaching, the need for access to the internet, as well as the lessons she has learned. She says, “My teaching has truly transformed…I stopped teaching on a screen, and I just began teaching through it.” Rebecca also describes how she uses music as a means to unite, connect, transition, learn, and build relationships during the virtual preschool day.
Resources:
- Conscious Discipline. (2021). Safety. Connection. Problem-Solving. https://consciousdiscipline.com
- District Resource Center. (2021). Resources. https://drc.casel.org/resources/
- Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. (2021). Preschool during the pandemic: Early childhood education in extraordinary times. https://ectacenter.org/topics/disaster/preschoolpandemic.asp
- Kiz Club. (2020). Printable for kids. http://kizclub.com/activities.htm
- MDCPS PreK Program for Children with Disabilities. (2020). Song board visuals. http://prekese.dadeschools.net/vis_sng.html
- National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). Music and song. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/music-and-songs
- Resources for Early Learning. (2014). http://resourcesforearlylearning.org/educators/
- TeachPreschool. (2021). KR–Kindy ready. https://teachpreschool.org/
About the Interviewee:
Rebecca Vitelli, MEd is an early childhood special education teacher at the Delaware Colonial Early Education Program. She teaches preschoolers of all abilities including children with autism spectrum disorder and moderate to severe health and cognitive needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was recognized as the 2020 Delaware Teacher of the Year for her innovative and engaging teaching style and positive relationships with children and families – becoming a role model for others.
Contact: Rebecca.Vitelli@colonial.k12.de.us
Suggested Citation:
Kern, P. (2021, April 16). Teaching through the screen instead of on the screen: An interview with Rebecca Vitelli [Audio podcast]. imagine. www.imagine.musictherapy.biz