Quick note here at the top, we are talking about what hybrid education looks like this year.

So it was only appropriate to mutter a curse word or two.

There's some salty language ahead.

Christopher Pinto is a high school math teacher outside Houston, Texas.

And these days, he's got this routine.

He wakes up around 5.36 in the morning,

pours himself some green tea,

and then he cranks up this song, a good 80s power ballad.

1984, Starships, nothing's going to stop us now.

You remember this one.

It's just the ultimate power ballad of like, nothing's going to stop us now.

And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other and we'll make it through.

This cheesy pop music, it's one of the few things that can psych Christopher up to do his job.

So it's like even if online learning goes to complete garbage, it's okay because we still have each other and we'll figure it out.

Christopher is actually back in the classroom this fall, but he's also teaching online at the same time.

During first period, which is 8.15 to 9 o'clock, I have 15 students with me in the room who are as socially distant as possible.

And simultaneously, I'm running a Zoom call with 15 to 20 other students who are checking in via laptop, iPhone, smartphone,

tablet, or some device from their home.

How's that working out?

Oh, terribly, but we're making do.

This is not what Christopher pictured he'd be doing day in and day out.

After being fully remote in the spring, he imagined returning to work would be a small step

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