Remote Teaching and Learning Experiences of Teachers and Guidance Counselors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted educational institutions worldwide to adapt to alternative learning modalities, such as the remote teaching and learning (RTL). This descriptive study documents the experiences of the teachers and guidance counselors in a laboratory school in the Philippines during RTL. Through an online survey and focus group discussions, opportunities, challenges, and coping strategies were examined. Results show that the RTL setup afforded teachers and guidance counselors with pedagogical and personal benefits but posed challenges, notably in establishing work-life boundaries that significantly affected their health. Coping strategies included establishing support networks and self-care practices. The findings suggest that the shift from one setup to another inevitably brings about both positive and negative experiences, hence robust support systems are needed for teachers and guidance counselors who are at the forefront of change.