BX kids learn at home during COVID
Morrisania mom takes matters into own hands following DOE disappointment
BY JASON COHEN
Throughout the past year,
remote learning has proven
to be an uphill battle for
many families who have had
to adjust to learning without
the proper technology, Wi-Fi
access and other resources.
Bronx mom Shantasia
Black, disillusioned by the
city’s inconsistent approach
to COVID-era education, decided
to take things into her
own hands. The Morrisania
resident found that virtual
learning was not working for
her second and fi fth grade
sons Jared and Josiah. She
felt the city’s lack of concrete
plans did not make things
easier on the students.
“They’re still trying to
teach kids the same way
they were in the classroom,”
Black said. “A lot of parents
I know have been complaining
about how virtual learning
works. There’s a lot of
mismanagement with the
Board of Education. They
make it so complicated and it
really isn’t.”
After doing extensive research,
she turned to homeschooling
and signed up for
Time4Learning, a web-based
program “accessible from
any computer with an internet
25%OFF
BRONX TIMES R 8 EPORTER, DECEMBER 11-17, 2020 BTR
connection.” According
to the site, members who sign
up get an all-access pass to
educational material for the
entire school year.
Black, who is home on
maternity leave and works
in real estate, said the program
has helped her sons.
Both boys have individualized
education plans (IEP)
— Josiah’s plan caters to
his “socioemotional diffi culties”
and ADHD while Jared’s
IEP is geared towards
his autism.
According to Black, homeschooling
was a bit of
an adjustment at fi rst but
now everyone is enjoying
the experience.
“When you are a working
parent, you don’t really get
to spend too much time with
your kids,” she said.
Black took the Time-
4Learning prepared curriculum
and transformed her living
room into a classroom,
complete with workstations
for each of her sons. In addition
to the basic subjects,
the program offers lessons in
coding and Spanish.
Black explained that “the
city made her jump through
hoops” to switch to homeschooling,
but felt it was
worth it. While the youngsters
miss their school
friends, they still get to see
each other through Face-
Time play dates.
Looking back, she is glad
she made the decision to start
homeschooling her kids with
Time4Learning. Black joked
that her boys even call her
“miss mommy” now.
“To some extent, I try to
be more of a teacher and less
mom,” she said.
Black told the Bronx
Times the plan is to make
homeschooling permanent.
Although she’s faced some
challenges combining homeschool
with Jared’s autism,
the transition has made
things easier.
“I think Time4Learning
has defi nitely helped in shaping
what I think makes sense
for my kids,” she said.
Josiah, fi fth grade and Jared, second grade, learn at home with their
mom, Shantasia Black, using Time4Learning
Photo courtesy of Shantasia Black
2173 White Plains Road OPEN
718-931-4335
Just South of Pelham Pkwy.
7 DAYS
SALE
WE CARRY A WIDE VARIETY OF ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Organic Foods, Herbs, Homeopathic Products & More
SALE ENDS 12/31/2020
WE CARRY A FULL
SELECTION OF
CBD
PRODUCTS
SINCE 1978
HIMALAYA
VIBRANT HEALTH
MEGA FOODS
RENEW LIFE
WILD HARVEST
NATURES WAY