How can teachers best lead language classes, special education classes, or communication classes while protecting themselves and their students? This fall, American teachers are considering that very question. With some students coming back to school for classes, teachers have begun experimenting with unusual objects, special kinds of masks or face coverings, and even protective bubbles. Stephanie Wanzer is a teacher who works with special education students in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Special education is a term for classes with students who have special needs because of physical or learning issues. While teaching, Wanzer says she would like students to see her smile, so that they know she is happy. But they cannot see her face because of her mask. Instead, Wanzer uses an unusual object - a stick with an image of a smile. Wanzer recently described working with one student to the Associated Press. “I try to be really expressive with my eyes,” she said. “He’s looking at me and I’m not sure if he thinks I’m mad or happy because you can’t see my mouth smiling,” she said. “So I actually have a smile on a stick, which is bizarre, but it’s a smile like, ‘Look, I’m smiling.’”