Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) days might seem like a day off for students, but for our dedicated school staff, these days are anything but quiet. While students learn and grow from the comfort of home, teachers, food service workers, bus drivers, and custodial staff work tirelessly to ensure the continued success, safety, and well-being of our Bearcat Family.
Teachers: Balancing Instruction and Innovation
Our teachers remain hard at work on NTI days. While their primary role is to individualize lessons and deliver high-quality instruction to students, much of their work—such as refining lesson plans, evaluating high-quality resources, revising assessments, and preparing innovative projects—happens outside the regular school day. NTI days provide a valuable opportunity for teachers to not only assist students with assignments but also focus on this essential behind-the-scenes work. These efforts ensure that each lesson aligns with rigorous academic standards and meets the diverse needs of our students.
Daycare Workers: Supporting Our Littlest Learners
Our daycare workers are a vital part of our district’s commitment to supporting families and students, especially on NTI days. While older students learn from home, our daycares often remain open to provide care for younger children, ensuring that families have the support they need to balance work and home responsibilities. These dedicated professionals not only provide a safe and nurturing environment but also keep the learning going for our students' minds through engaging activities, learning experiences, and social development opportunities.
Food Service Workers: Fighting Hunger, One Meal at a Time
Our food service workers play a crucial role, even when the cafeteria is quieter than usual. On NTI days, they prepare nutritious meals for families to pick up, ensuring that no student goes hungry while they’re learning from home. Their commitment to the well-being of our students and families goes beyond the lunchroom—they’re a vital part of what makes our schools a supportive community.
Bus Drivers: Ready to Roll
Though their buses may not be full of students on NTI days, our bus drivers stay busy. They clear ice, snow, and debris from their buses, ensuring safety and smooth transportation when students return to school. Like our food service workers, if bus drivers do not document work-related activities on NTI days, they make up their time to ensure their responsibilities are fulfilled. Their dedication keeps our transportation system running smoothly and ensures that every student has access to safe, reliable transportation.
Maintenance and Custodial Staff: Keeping Schools Clean and Safe
Our maintenance and custodial staff are some of the hardest-working individuals in our schools. NTI days allow them to go above and beyond their daily cleaning routines. They deep clean classrooms, sanitize high-touch areas, and ensure that every school building is safe and ready for students to return. Additionally, custodians often work in parking lots, clearing snow, ensuring walkways are safe, and addressing any potential hazards to keep our campuses secure.
Every member of our school community plays a vital role in making NTI days a success. The efforts of our teachers, daycare workers, food service workers, bus drivers, custodial staff, and so many others demonstrate their unwavering commitment to our students and families. On behalf of Anderson County Schools, we extend our deepest gratitude to these professionals who go above and beyond to ensure that learning, safety, and community support never take a day off.