September 15, 2020

Teacher is booted off virtual learning session and the kids’ reactions are priceless

WATCH: Teacher gets kicked off virtual learning class and the kids' reactions are priceless

As some schools dive into e-learning amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, a North Carolina teacher is sharing what happened behind the scenes after she was kicked out of her own, virtual classroom.

Michelle Westmoreland, an educator at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina, was reading a story to 17 second graders on Aug. 26 when she was booted from Google Meet.

It only took her two minutes to log back on. All the kids were still there, and it was business as usual, she told "Good Morning America."

"I'm frantic, trying to get back in the meeting and I had no idea they were all still connected and having these wonderful conversations," Westmoreland said. "They were so engaged, concerned and waiting on me to come back. I'm very proud and impressed."

Michelle Westmoreland
Second grader Ellie Samayoa sits in a Google Meet classroom session on Aug. 26, 2020. Ellie is a student at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina.
MORE: Teacher's emotional video shows attempt to set up a classroom amid COVID-19
Editor's Picks

Westmoreland said her district recommends recording virtual learning sessions in case some students can't make the meeting, or need to re-watch.

In the video, the children ask each other if they should log off and come to the conclusion that their teacher was only halfway done with her lesson.

Michelle Westmoreland
Second grader London Harkness sits in a Google Meet classroom session on Aug. 26, 2020. London is a student at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina.

When Westmoreland watched the class session, she wanted to share with parents and fellow teachers.

MORE: Mom falls through ceiling during daughter's audition, goes viral on TikTok
Michelle Westmoreland
Second grader Maston Blalock sits in a Google Meet classroom session on Aug. 26, 2020. Maston is a student at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina.
Michelle Westmoreland
Michelle Westmoreland, an educator at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina, was reading a story to 17 second graders on Aug. 26 when she was booted from Google Meet.

Jordan Edmonds, mom to 8-year-old Jett Edmonds, said she enjoyed seeing the kids' priceless reactions.

"My first thought was, 'They did a really good job with that,'" Edmonds, a teacher, told "GMA." "They were trying to problem solve and were so well-behaved and respectful of each other. I thought it was really neat."

Michelle Westmoreland
Second grader Jett Edmonds sits in a Google Meet classroom session on Aug. 26, 2020. Jett is a student at Mount Olive Elementary School in King, North Carolina.

Westmoreland said it was likely that WiFi issues kicked her offline that day and things have continued to run smoothly since.