Special education teachers, parents, and students faced unique obstacles from school closures due to COVID-19. The specifics of many school reopening plans are still uncertain, leaving teachers and parents concerned about getting their children back to routine in the fall. Everything changed this spring for Olivia Andrews, a student in Johnson City School’s special ed program. She was happy to reunite with her teacher, Kaylea Shelton, after finishing 8th grade virtually. “This virus has flipped us upside down,” said Olivia. Shelton said the halt to in-person learning has been the biggest challenge of her teaching career. “Nothing compared to this,” she said. “Having to completely change how I’m teaching these kids that I work in small groups and one-on-one with on a daily basis.” 
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