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We have seen a lot of different kinds of leadership during the coronavirus pandemic from doctors, politicians, farmers, grocery store workers, teachers, etc. I’m writing this letter to thank Aaron Farris and other members of the Albert Lea school board. On March 15, the day Gov. Walz declared we would begin distance learning on March 18, Aaron was giving me the information piece by piece, making sure that I understood every part. Aaron answered every texted question I had within minutes of me asking said question. The same can be said when Gov. Walz issued (and extended) his stay at home order. I doubt Aaron had the answer to every question when I asked him, which means he went to the trouble of getting and relaying said answer to me. He responded to every text and answered every phone call.

After talking with a lot of other students, I found out they and some of their parents had very similar stories of receiving Aaron Farris’s help during our transition to distance learning. Shifting to an entirely different form of school hasn’t been easy for a lot of us. We miss our friends, we miss the teacher interaction and it’s a lot of change very quickly. One of the times I was on the phone with Aaron, I asked him what he was experiencing as far as distance learning reactions from parents and students. Aaron said, “Well, there have been a lot of people asking how long distance learning will last, or, how long all of this will last, whether or not they can return to school to get their things, what college class and state exams will still take place this year, asking for information on the district’s meal distribution program, whether or not seniors will still get to experience their prom and graduation, and a few people call just to vent.”

I am extremely proud to call Aaron Farris a friend, and am so glad that he is my representative on the Albert Lea school board. Not only has he helped 11th graders (which is the grade he represents), but students of every grade and even a few parents. During the first week of distance learning, the system that high schoolers use, Schoology, crashed. I’m sure Aaron had a few people call him wondering what was going on, and I’m sure he answered their questions and handled the situation excellently. Aaron Farris has done a great job, and I hope students who have asked or received help from Aaron and their parents appreciate the help that Aaron has given them.

Dylan Callahan

Albert Lea