try to establish a connection with their students. >> shonray brooks: they have to know that you'resten to them, not be upset when they are-- confused you want to put your hands out, i guess is what i'm saying, and say, "come towards me," more so than just hands off. >> dickerson: so this is more than about just six feet away from each other. this is right at the heart of your ability to teach, and for their ability to learn? >> brooks: it is. >> dickerson: for 15 years, shonray brooks has taught english in the emanuel county school district, which does not require masks. in early august, after receiving a negative covid test, she went to work at swainsboro middle school. and got covid after barely a week of teaching. for nearly 40 days she lay unconscious, on a ventilator, fighting for her life, while her family tried to comfort her over facetime. >> i know you probably can't hear me or understand but i love you. >> brooks: it's a little scary. it's a little heartbreaking, so. >> dickerson: after months of physical therapy, she's still having a lot of health problems. she doesn't k