Jerrica says, "What is most rewarding is when the kids trust you. They look to us for reassurance, and it's hard because the teachers don't know what will happen from day to day, but they have to keep the kids going."

All the kids have individual concerns. One wants to be a pharmacist, and is very concerned that he will learn everything he needs to get into the school he wants to go to.

"The only way to reassure them is not with lies but with the truth, by letting them know this is part of life. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful children," Jerrica said. "You can learn teaching at school, but the kids make you a teacher -- caring, loving, devoted, the best you can possibly be. The kids challenge you to be this. I tell the kids they are my teachers and I learn from them -- and every time they ask me questions, I get better at teaching." When she began teaching, she had no idea how it would change her!

In a recent class, Jerrica related genetic engineering to evolution. If we can overcome this virus, she said, it will be the same thing as with our immune system -- we will be overpowering it.
She asked the kids, "Why do some people not get sick?"
One replied, "Because they have a strong immune system."
"Who does Darwin say will survive?", she asked. "The ones that are the fittest and can adapt, who can take care of themselves, who can take vitamin C, keep their distance, wash their hands and eat well, they will survive."
"When you hear their voices change to become more optimistic, and then start joking around, it is incredibly rewarding," she said.

Jerrica gives a lot of credit for how well things are going to the Newtown High School Principal, Mr. Ficalora. She said he holds everything together -- he is supportive and takes care of the teachers. He makes sure that each teacher is called by the Assistant Principal for support every week, and wants to give teachers all the tools that could possibly help the children succeed.

She also said they have a great community of parents. One parent recently sent her a message, saying that although she did not know her, she wanted to thank her for motivating the kids.