Episode 027 — Overcoming the Aftermath of COVID-19 in Education with Anne Richter When COVID-19 disrupted classrooms, most people assumed school would eventually return to “normal.” But according to veteran teacher and education consultant Anne Richter, the real story is what happened after: rising student anxiety, weakened social skills, academic gaps, and a system still trying to catch up years later. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Anne to unpack what’s changed for students, teachers, and parents—and what it will take to truly recover. Anne Richter is a highly educated classroom teacher with multiple degrees from Columbia University and decades of experience in middle and high school education. She’s also the author of In Our Classrooms: A Veteran Teacher’s Guide to Taking Care of Your Students and Yourself, and the founder of InOurClassrooms.com, where she supports educators and districts through consulting, curriculum, and mentorship. Anne brings a grounded, compassionate perspective on post-COVID learning loss, device dependence, parent-teacher partnership, teacher burnout, and why “growth mindset” matters more than ever. Key Takeaways • Post-COVID “normal” doesn’t exist: student anxiety, social discomfort, and learning gaps are still showing up years later • Parents can help more than they realize—by reducing devices, rebuilding curiosity, and creating low-pressure moments for real conversation • Teachers are carrying new roles (mental/emotional triage + academics), and the future requires rigor, relationships, and healthy boundaries Timestamps • 00:00 — Introduction: the aftermath of COVID-19 in education (and why it’s still unfolding) • 02:10 — Anne’s mantra: “It’s not what you were born with—it’s what you do with what you were born with” • 05:10 — What changed most for students: anxiety, social cues, eye contact, and device dependence • 09:20 — Academic impact: reading, writing, math levels—and why “catching up” is still happening • 12:40 — What parents can do: curiosity-building, experiences, conversation, and device boundaries • 16:10 — How to talk to teenagers: timing, low-pressure settings, and listening without reacting • 20:15 — Conversation starters that actually work (beyond “How was your day?”) • 23:20 — The portal problem: why micromanaging grades creates more pressure (and what to do instead) • 27:10 — Teachers post-COVID: isolation, split classrooms, masked learning, and why many left the profession • 32:10 — AI in school: the new challenge for learning, writing, and critical thinking • 36:20 — School safety + social media: the pressure students are under now (and why it’s different than past generations) • 41:30 — Moving forward: bringing back rigor, rebuilding connection, and restoring respect for the profession • 46:10 — Anne’s reinvention: the five-year plan that led to a book + consulting businessfacebo • 52:30 — Recommended book: Mindset by Carol Dweck (and the power of “YET”) Connect with Anne Richter • Anne’s website + consulting: https://inourclassrooms.com | Instagram | Facebook • In Our Classrooms: A Veteran Teacher’s Guide to Taking Care of Your Students and Yourself by Anne Richter https://a.co/d/06BQWiOr Resources • Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://a.co/d/0j743o0J If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs proof that it is never too late to rebuild a life, reclaim dignity, and make Send a text
