Educational planning for the 2021 school year—with many schools across the country adopting the “continuum” approach recommended by the National Education Council (CNE)—requires educators to be highly creative and even more flexible. Industry experts point to some paths to follow, especially for educational administrators, who will once again face a period of hard work to ensure that learning takes place in the schools under their responsibility.

Letícia Lyle, co-founder of Camino Education and Cloe, and principal of Camino School, believes we must view 2020 as a year of reflection, of seeking improvements, and of broadening our perspectives to address the demands of the present. In the educator’s view, 2021 will require educators to focus on certain priorities, such as resolving challenges, developing leaders, and personalizing learning and professional development.

"We need to understand that educators are also tired, and working together in a collaborative manner benefits everyone. Empathy among school districts, administrators, teachers, students, and families must be a constant," said Letícia Lyle, who in December of last year brought together administrators to discuss the topic at an online event held in partnership with Bett Educar.

During the event, participants discussed planning and management issues and shared their experiences from that period. The secretaries of education for the municipalities of Manaus (AM), Kátia Schweickardt, and Londrina (PR), Maria Tereza Paschoal de Moraes, reported on the work carried out in the midst of the pandemic. Both officials highlighted initiatives and expressed concerns regarding support—for students, teachers, and even families.

"Education is much more than just schools. I don't want to hear about a 'new normal'; I want a new kind of education—one that goes beyond the walls of the school, puts learning at the center of everything, and takes advantage of this pandemic to address issues related to supporting students' families," said Kátia Schweickardt, revealing that Manaus managed to enroll 190,000 students in 2020.

The municipal public school system in Londrina, led by teacher Maria Tereza, also managed to expand its family engagement programs—which had been implemented two years earlier—despite the pandemic and all the challenges posed by social distancing.  “Our teacher-mediator program worked both to support teachers in using technology and to assist students in the system and their families, conducting more than 20,000 visits during these nine months of the pandemic to engage and support families,” said the secretary.

Social-emotional support was also a priority for Raimundo Mota, Secretary of Education and Culture for the city of Cruz, in Ceará. The educator emphasized the need to support teachers, who were severely overburdened during this period, by creating a personalized mentoring program for them. “The goal was to learn from our peers, not just to discuss pedagogical issues. This was important for creating a space to share struggles and emotions. Teachers really need that, too,” explained the secretary.

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