A COVID-19 intervention: Using digital escape rooms to provide professional development to alternative certification educators

Teachers, support staff, schools, and school districts have faced a multitude of challenges in adapting their known and familiar practices to the new realities and restrictions that have been put in place due to the outbreak of COVID-19. These challenges are daunting and difficult for many in our education system. Fortunately, a numerous amount of our educators are resilient, creative, and determined to overcome these new challenges. Using their prior experiences and wis- dom, these educators can adapt and change to our new edu- cational environment. However, one group of educators have faced these challenges without the benefit of educational ex- periences. Alternative certification teachers, in just their first year of teaching, with no prior educational experience, have been thrust into this new post COVID-19 landscape. Using a digital escape room as a model, the author provided these inexperienced educators with professional development in problem-based learning designed to help these teachers navi- gate this new educational landscape.