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For teachers, starting a new school year is never easy. But this year, teaching remotely is adding its own set of challenges.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts across the country have shifted to virtual learning in the fall, including Chicago Public Schools and many Chicago-area suburban districts. So how are teachers getting ready for Zoom classes? What do their setups look like? We asked teachers around Illinois to send us photos of their remote-learning work stations.

Some teachers have multiple devices set up; some have positioned their laptop on a stand tilted down to capture a more flattering angle. Some have crafted spaces with books, memorabilia, plants and other aesthetically pleasing materials for students to look at over multiple hours of class time.

If you are teaching remotely this year and want to show us your setup, send a photo with your name, the grade or subject you teach, and your school’s name to [email protected], and we’ll add you to this list.

Pete Zaragoza, special education, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade, Hyde Park Elementary School

Pete Zaragoza, special education, kindergarten, first grade and second grade, Hyde Park Elementary School in Waukegan.
Pete Zaragoza, special education, kindergarten, first grade and second grade, Hyde Park Elementary School in Waukegan.

Dani Avvisati, kindergarten, STEM Magnet Academy

Dani Avvisati, kindergarten, STEM Magnet Academy in Chicago.
Dani Avvisati, kindergarten, STEM Magnet Academy in Chicago.

Carlin Coffey, English, Roberto Clemente Community Academy

Carlin Coffey, English, Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago.
Carlin Coffey, English, Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago.

Vallan Kantner, English, Futabakai Japanese School Chicago

Vallan Kantner, English, Futabakai Japanese School Chicago in Arlington Heights.
Vallan Kantner, English, Futabakai Japanese School Chicago in Arlington Heights.

Esther Smith, math, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School

Esther Smith, math, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park.
Esther Smith, math, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park.

Becca Welch, preschool, Saint Matthias School

Becca Welch, preschool, Saint Matthias School in Chicago.
Becca Welch, preschool, Saint Matthias School in Chicago.

Michelle Cross, Japanese, Steinmetz College Prep

Michelle Cross teaches Japanese at Steinmetz College Prep in Chicago.
Michelle Cross teaches Japanese at Steinmetz College Prep in Chicago.

Helen Toledo, 1st grade dual language, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary

Helen Toledo, first grade dual language, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary in Chicago.
Helen Toledo, first grade dual language, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary in Chicago.

Shelby Redman, special education history, English and Embarc, Roberto Clemente Community Academy

Shelby Redman, special education history, English and Embarc teacher, Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago. Embarc is a nonprofit organization that provides experiential learning for Chicago Public Schools students to help them prepare for college and career success.
Shelby Redman, special education history, English and Embarc teacher, Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago. Embarc is a nonprofit organization that provides experiential learning for Chicago Public Schools students to help them prepare for college and career success.

Deanna Sortino, digital arts, Niles West High School

Deanna Sortino, digital arts, Niles West High School in Skokie.
Deanna Sortino, digital arts, Niles West High School in Skokie.

Sabrina Ehmke, humanities, civics and psychology, Evanston Township High School

Sabrina Ehmke, ninth grade humanities, 10th grade civics and 12th grade AP psychology, Evanston Township High School.
Sabrina Ehmke, ninth grade humanities, 10th grade civics and 12th grade AP psychology, Evanston Township High School.

Lisa Welsh, English, North-Grand High School

Lisa Welsh, 11th grade English, North-Grand High School in Chicago.
Lisa Welsh, 11th grade English, North-Grand High School in Chicago.

Terrie Monaghan, 2nd grade, Woodview School

Terrie Monaghan, second grade, Woodview School in Grayslake.
Terrie Monaghan, second grade, Woodview School in Grayslake.

Iris Suárez, English, Stratford Middle School and Jay Stream Middle School

Iris Suárez, English language arts for English learners, Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale and Jay Stream Middle School in Carol Stream.
Iris Suárez, English language arts for English learners, Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale and Jay Stream Middle School in Carol Stream.

Stephanie Bell, 2nd grade, Plainfield Elementary School

Stephanie Bell, second grade, Plainfield Elementary School in Des Plaines.
Stephanie Bell, second grade, Plainfield Elementary School in Des Plaines.

Susan Brazao, art, Glacier Ridge Elementary School

Susan Brazao, art, Glacier Ridge Elementary School in Crystal Lake.
Susan Brazao, art, Glacier Ridge Elementary School in Crystal Lake.

Kamasi Hill, history, Evanston Township High School

Kamasi Hill, history, Evanston Township High School.
Kamasi Hill, history, Evanston Township High School.

Julie Brady, math, Evanston Township High School

Julie Brady, math, Evanston Township High School.
Julie Brady, math, Evanston Township High School.

Jennifer Galloy, journalism and English, Joliet West High School

Jennifer Galloy, multimedia journalism and English, Joliet West High School.
Jennifer Galloy, multimedia journalism and English, Joliet West High School.

Annie Chapman, 2nd grade, A.N. Pritzker School

Annie Chapman, second grade, A.N. Pritzker School in Chicago.
Annie Chapman, second grade, A.N. Pritzker School in Chicago.

Erin Donovan, special education, Oakland Elementary School

Erin Donovan, a special education paraprofessional at Oakland Elementary in Lake Villa, shares her remote teaching setup with her daughter, an incoming sixth grader at Antioch Upper Grade School.
Erin Donovan, a special education paraprofessional at Oakland Elementary in Lake Villa, shares her remote teaching setup with her daughter, an incoming sixth grader at Antioch Upper Grade School.

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