The challenges faced by South Butler County School District teachers during the coronavirus pandemic was akin to “juggling chainsaws,” according to the superintendent.

As the district — and all school districts — scrambled to educate students ages 5 to 18 after the pandemic hit the county, teachers were asked to keep up with the ever-changing directives from administrators as students learned at home.

Later, students could return on a hybrid basis, learning at school some days and at home others. Some families not comfortable sending their children to school remained in at-home learning, so teachers in the latter part of the school year found themselves teaching students who were in class and at home at the same time.

“I can't say enough about what our staff has done this year,” said David Foley, superintendent. “We've asked a lot of the teachers, and I think one of the challenges we all had a hard time wrapping our heads around is the teachers juggling chainsaws when giving presentations to students at home and students in the classroom.”

He said the hurried technology purchases approved by the school board helped, but teaching over the past year has placed hurdle after hurdle before South Butler educators.

“I just want to recognize the fact that I haven't gotten any complaints from the teachers about what we've asked them to do,” Foley said. “They have gotten more effective and efficient with instruction from where we were back in March when the pandemic hit, and we were scrambling, trying to get things moving.”

He said the pandemic has served to improve the district's technological capabilities in a chaotic year.

“The kids have rolled with the challenges that we've had, too,” Foley said.

He said once the pandemic is over and school returns to normal, the district may use the remote-instruction system to have teachers tutor students in the evening and for other uses.

“I'm hoping people join me in maybe sending a message to your teacher and explain how thankful we all are,” Foley said.

Jill McDonald, school board member, echoed Foley's thoughts on the extra effort South Butler teachers have given this year.

“I thank those teachers who rose to the significant challenges that were presented to them this year and for keeping their focus on the students,” McDonald said. “Bravo to you all.”

Donna Eakin, board president, said she and three other board members have grown children who work as teachers. Those board members got a personal look into the challenges faced by all teachers this year.

“Our teachers and staff are greatly appreciated,” Eakin said. “We all just thank you very much.”

Foley said the district gave a small token of appreciation to all teachers.

In addition, the elementary parent-teacher organizations decorated the primary and intermediate elementary schools with signs of thanks, and the secondary principals bought teachers doughnuts, he said.