The previous sections of this report highlighted survey data focused on whether, how, and why COVID was addressed in K–12 classrooms (e.g., sources of information, instructional activities, student engagement, and key influences on teacher decision making). Findings were also presented about differences and similarities in student opportunities to learn about COVID based on grade band, teaching assignment (life vs. non-life science), and equity factors (FRL, URM, community type, political leaning). However, interviews with a sample of teachers highlighted the interplay among multiple factors that influenced their response to COVID.

This section of the report includes 12 vignettes that illustrate the range of intertwined circumstances teachers faced during the COVID pandemic and the ways in which teachers’ unique contexts shaped their instruction. A brief description of the teachers featured in these vignettes is provided in Table 38.⁸