Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Sonia Dinnall addresses teachers during a professional development day before pivoting to pen-and-paper instruction. Stacks of paper worksheet packets sit on a nearby table.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield students got a taste of education in the analog age after a cyberattack on Springfield Public Schools forced teachers to pivot from smartboards and laptops to paper worksheets and index cards.
Educators took Sept. 11 as a professional development day to prepare to teach without technology, although some teachers said they preferred to instruct with pen and paper. “It’s more beneficial to the students to use pen and paper,” said Troy Doming, a seventh grade science teacher. He said research backs up his assertion that students retain the information more when writing formulas instead of typing them. He added, “The worksheet doesn’t fail to load,” or have a dead battery.
“We all knew what we needed to do,” said Gisella Grimaldi, a life skills teacher. “We went back to pencil and paper. Most of us started with pencil and paper, so we reverted.”
Not all lessons were taught in hard copy, however. Educators had access to internet-based programs, which were not affected by the cyberattack, and students received instruction through a mix of formats.
Educators and nursing staff were back online with their credentials on Sept. 11. Escribano said system access was being restored “in a very thoughtful and careful way.” Superintendent Sonia Dinnall later explained, “We’ve made significant progress,” but she said the pace was “slow and steady.” The in-district information technology team and the outside assistance Springfield has received are bringing each system back online with security front of mind.
Dinnall toured each of the city’s schools unannounced on Sept. 14. What impressed her most was the positive attitude of teachers and students. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Terry Powe agreed, saying, “Everyone came together.”
During the professional development, sixth grade math teacher Victoria Gaskins spoke to the feeling of collaboration among educators. She said, “We’re one team. One unit.” Paraeducator Tangela Smith said it was her first year as an educator. While the cyberattack and ensuing pivot in instructional methods was not what she expected, she said, “I trust my team.”
