At this time last year, colleges and school districts were forced to stop in-person classes, while teachers and students had to adjust to a new way of learning.

As COVID-19 took hold across New York in March 2020, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that rocked the education system for millions of families across the state and caused chaos in and out of the classroom. On March 18, 2020, all schools were shut down for in-person learning. At first, it was to be only for two weeks.

School districts scrambled to make plans to continue classroom instruction from a stay-at-home environment. Districts across the state stocked up on devices like Chromebooks, wifi hotspots, and other tech gear to try and close the gaps in access and technology between students.

Teachers needed to quickly figure out how to bring the school day home, all virtually.

For the kids, online learning was a strange world, and being away from the classroom took an emotional toll on them. Keeping kids engaged was half the battle for some. Keeping some fed proved even more challenging. Dedicated school staff across the state worked to make sure kids who rely on meals at school had enough to eat, providing daily breakfasts and lunches for pickup and delivery.

What started as a two-week pause turned into a months-long odyssey.

On May 1, 2020, Gov. Cuomo announced school buildings would remain closed for the rest of that school year, destroying hopes of salvaging any semblance of normalcy.

"We don't think it's possible to do that in a way that would keep our children and students and educators safe," said the governor.

"There's so many unknowns and I think that's the most stressful thing is that we have so many unknowns that we have to address before we're able to come back in a healthy and safe way," said Depew Superintendent Jeffrey Rabey.

State testing was also canceled and for the class of 2020, walking across a stage turned into socially distant drive-thrus. It was an innovative way to mark the achievements of the class.

As spring turned into summer, schools across New York began preparing for the fall. Questions remained about enough personal protective equipment, proper ventilation, and even cleaning supplies.

Some schools tried their best, welcoming back students five days a week, complete with masks and social distancing. Some districts pioneered a hybrid model through a mix of classroom learning and being virtual from home. Others remained fully virtual with buildings still closed.

The atmosphere was tense, both students and parents took to the streets, calling for a return to full in-person classes throughout the fall and into the winter.

One year later, not all of New York’s students are back in the classroom consistently. The CDC, White House, and New York state health officials are pushing districts for a return to school with proper precautions.

As the state looks ahead, there is still a degree of uncertainty as to when Zoom calls will turn back into real roll calls.

It was a year in education unlike any other. A year that taught a lesson to New York’s parents, teachers, and students.

A lesson no one will likely ever forget.