A Comparison of Burnout Experienced by Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers With Other Content Teachers During COVID- 19 Remote Teaching

During the spring of 2020, K-12 schools were turned upside-down. The COVID-19 pandemic essentially forced all schools across the nation to close their doors and move their learning environments online. The switch to remote learning put a great deal of stress and responsibility on teachers at all levels. The content taught by family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers presented those teachers with unique challenges that differentiated them from other content teachers in programs such as math, language arts, and social studies. With a sample of 97 teachers from Midwestern states, this study found that FCS teachers reported higher levels of depersonalization and lower feelings of personal accomplishment.

Adapting to the Changing Needs of Family and Consumer Sciences Students: Instructor Perspectives During the Pandemic

In March 2020, the pandemic brought significant changes to higher education modalities. This paper examines how family and consumer sciences (FCS) instructors in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary department at a large 4-year university modified instruction and related activities as a response to the pandemic. Using the Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge as a framework, we illustrate approaches to meet students' basic needs and support their individual well-being during the crisis, and we provide a detailed description of changes in instructional strategies across different disciplines within the department. We highlight the lessons learned by instructors during the transition to fully online instruction and provide suggestions for other FCS programs moving forward.

"It just feels like I'm a kid back home, with dinner made for me and the snack cabinet full": College Students' Reflections on Food-related Experiences During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many aspects of life and wellbeing. Eating behaviors and food habits among college students—many leaving campus and returning home mid-semester—were of particular interest for this qualitative study. Reflections from 33 students across 3 courses were analyzed using content analysis. Five major themes emerged from the data: diet changes, minimizing risk, responsibility, silver linings, and food and nutrition knowledge and skills. Several opportunities for family and consumer sciences (FCS) educators and professionals exist to help individuals and families through COVID-19 or to promote FCS classes on college campuses.

Examining Self-Efficacy of FCS Teachers Following the COVID-19 Modality Switch

This paper presents the results of a nationwide survey of educators for grades 6–12 who specialize in family and consumer sciences education (N 380). The paper examines teacher reports about their self-efficacy in online learning during the switch to off-campus instruction. Data revealed that district communication to teachers indicating that they were doing a good job and teachers having had prior online interactions with students were significantly related to the teachers' positive perceptions of self-efficacy.

Integration of Video Games To Support the FCS Education Food Production Standards

Digital games can provide fun, motivating, and challenging experiences for students in the classroom. Recent research on educational games has shown that game play can positively influence academic achievement, engagement, and 21st century skills (Abdul Jabbar & Felicia, 2015; Qian & Clark, 2016). When playing games, students solve problems, collaborate with peers, and practice new skills—all within a digital environment. There are multiple games that simulate preparing and serving food. Generally, players are tasked to prepare food based on the requests of customers. Ingredients are processed on different tables or appliances, and final dishes are delivered to customers. Players who fail to complete recipes correctly or take too long during preparation may negatively influence customers' expectations. Although games vary in quality and applicability to the classroom, many address components of the Food Service and Production standard to "integrate knowledge, skills, and practices required for careers in food production and services" (National Association of State Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences [NASAFACS], 2018, p.1).

Appealing to the Masses: Utah Residents' Interest in Extension Programming

Extension programming must continue to evolve by meeting the changing needs and interests of residents. Family and Consumer Sciences agents in Cooperative Extension often utilize community needs assessments to inform future programming. However, a needs-based approach alone may not incorporate residents' interest, which is important for participant recruitment. We examined programming interest areas of Utah residents to explore opportunities for future programming that reflects residents' preferences. An interest survey identified target areas for programming, and we found that interests differed by location of residence and age.

Teaching in an Undergraduate Dietetics Program and Internship During COVID-19

During the spring semester of 2020, COVID-19 disrupted teaching at universities across the United States ("Coronavirus Hits Campus," 2020). Transitioning courses online presented many difficulties for instructors (Gannon, 2020; McMurtrie, 2020b; Schmalz, 2020), and educators in family and consumer sciences (FCS)–and dietetics in particular–worked to engage students, administer exams, address confusion with content, and identify alternatives for supervised practice within a very short timeframe. This paper discusses the challenges faced and solutions discovered by undergraduate and graduate dietetics program faculty at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in transitioning face-to-face courses to online. It also discusses how changes in teaching practices during this time will affect the future of dietetics education. Both programs are accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), which requires programs (undergraduate, graduate, and dietetic internships) to meet specific learning competencies and supervised practice hours and provide documentation that requirements are met (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2020b). Although accreditation is not unique to dietetics programs, the specific requirements, varied practice sites, and range of possible solutions merit attention.

Pandemic Panic and Retail Reconfiguration: Consumer and Supply Chain Responses to COVID- 19

COVID-19 ignited a revolution in retail. Family and consumer sciences (FCS) professionals, including students of retail and consumer sciences, can be the change agents that create the post-pandemic retail future. Massive disruptions to traditional retail practices for both consumers and retailers will result in changed retail environments as the United States and the world recoil and enter a new era changed by the global pandemic. Consumers have experienced panic and product availability anxieties, especially in food and grocery products. Shelves have been devoid of toilet paper, antibacterial products, and flour. Online shopping, including delivery and store pickup, is the new reality, with online sales at full-assortment grocers up 325% for March 12 and 13 in the midst of the panic (Melton, 2020). Retailers, especially grocers, have scrambled to maintain inventory and boost employment to feed the population, while non grocery brick-and-mortar retailers closed their doors and lost revenue to pay employees, leases, and outstanding invoices. How long until familiar times return—or will they? Forging ahead and influencing the post-pandemic retail world presents an opportunity for FCS professionals and consumers.