When Karla Cosme Maldonado, Experiential Life Skills Coordinator with BCFS Health and Human Services Transitional Foster Care, saw her students’ faces on a video call, she knew something wasn’t quite right.
“We were taking a virtual tour of the [Pacific] Science Center in Seattle, and I could tell the students were not very engaged,” said Karla.
As classrooms have moved online around the world to slow the spread of COVID-19, educators have kept pace by blending technology with whatever is available from home. Though adapting is not easy, the results often showcase the creativity and resourcefulness of teachers.
These new limitations have brought the talents from staff at BCFS Health and Human Services Transitional Foster Care to the forefront. Last week their education team put on costumes and makeup for a retelling of “Snow White.”
“Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the performance with our students,” said Sonya Thompson, Executive Director at BCFS Health and Human Services-San Antonio, “but I was there for rehearsal. I don’t think it was just the kids who had fun; [the staff] definitely had fun too.”
“All you have to do is read the news to know that parents have their hands full right now,” said Melissa Bueno, Regional Director of BCFS Health and Human Services-San Antonio Foster Care and Adoption. “These are some great ideas that our staff came up with to break up the monotony of the day and take a burden off foster parents.”
Both Sonya and Melissa have been impressed with the innovative and engaging adjustments the Transitional Foster Care program has made to continue serving children during the coronavirus. Last month the teachers challenged their students to create floats at home for a virtual parade, and this week they will take an adventure through history using a virtual time machine.
“I know what we’re all going through, and I want our kids to have a little fun,” said Karla. “Sometimes you can even hear the parents laughing in the background.”
Mayde Rivera as a woodland bird 
Karla Cosme Maldonado as Sleepy 
Irma Axley as Grumpy 
Crystal Vega as the Evil Queen 
Joksan Burgos Lozado as Doc 
Jessica DeJesus as Dopey 
Brenda Reyes as the Witch (spoiler alert, also the Queen) 
Cinthia Matos Rojas as Bashful
