Struggling to Stay Connected on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as Teaching Moves Online
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Struggling to Stay Connected on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as Teaching Moves Online

By Jaclyn Borowski — April 30, 2020 1 min read
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As teachers across the country grapple with the challenges that come with remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, an elementary school teacher on Maryland’s Eastern Shore faces the added challenge of a lack of internet access at home.

Crossing from Talbot into Dorchester County, over the Choptank River, on April 28, 2020.
Crossing from Talbot into Dorchester County, over the Choptank River, on April 28, 2020.
Jaclyn Borowski
Karen Ruark, a third-grade teacher in Dorchester County, parks outside her elementary school, South Dorchester School, to take advantage of the school’s WiFi hotspot during the hours she’s teaching.
Karen Ruark, a third-grade teacher in Dorchester County, parks outside her elementary school, South Dorchester School, to take advantage of the school’s WiFi hotspot during the hours she’s teaching.
Jaclyn Borowski
Ruark has spotty internet at her home on Hoopers Island in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
Ruark has spotty internet at her home on Hoopers Island in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay.
Jaclyn Borowski
South Dorchester School, where Karen Ruark teaches third grade, sits empty on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, as education has moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
South Dorchester School, where Karen Ruark teaches third grade, sits empty on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, as education has moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jaclyn Borowski
As Ruark works from the parking lot of her elementary school, she’s often joined by her daughters, who are both in high school and need internet access to upload their assignments.
As Ruark works from the parking lot of her elementary school, she’s often joined by her daughters, who are both in high school and need internet access to upload their assignments.
Jaclyn Borowski
The route to South Dorchester School, where Karen Ruark teaches third grade, is lined with farms and single-family homes.
The route to South Dorchester School, where Karen Ruark teaches third grade, is lined with farms and single-family homes.
Jaclyn Borowski
Dorchester County sits on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, just over the Choptank River.
Dorchester County sits on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, just over the Choptank River.
Jaclyn Borowski
A portrait of third-grade teacher Karen Ruark outside her elementary school, South Dorchester School, on April 28, 2020.
A portrait of third-grade teacher Karen Ruark outside her elementary school, South Dorchester School, on April 28, 2020.
Jaclyn Borowski
Despite the challenge of reliable internet, Ruark has been able to make contact with every single third-grader in her class.
Despite the challenge of reliable internet, Ruark has been able to make contact with every single third-grader in her class.
Jaclyn Borowski
A home along Route 50, the main route through Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has posted a series of signs thanking every industry of essential workers, including teachers, as seen on April 28, 2020.
A home along Route 50, the main route through Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has posted a series of signs thanking every industry of essential workers, including teachers, as seen on April 28, 2020.
Jaclyn Borowski
Dorchester County is home to the University of Maryland’s Shore Medical Center. As of April 28, 2020, the county had seen 51 coronavirus cases and two deaths.
Dorchester County is home to the University of Maryland’s Shore Medical Center. As of April 28, 2020, the county had seen 51 coronavirus cases and two deaths.
Jaclyn Borowski

Jaclyn Borowski
Director of Photography & Videography,  Education Week
Jaclyn Borowski is the Director of Photography and Videography for Education Week.
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Digital Divide Remote/Virtual Learning Teachers Maryland

A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

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