In Texas, the drastically different academic year is causing a blitz of emotions, from excitement to boredom to stress. After a nightmarish summer defined by an explosion of coronavirus cases, Texas has suffered more than 14,000 fatalities, with an especially devastating toll on Latino communities.

Now, students and staff are either walking straight into a petri dish or struggling with technological difficulties as they learn remotely from home. During the week after Labor Day, NBC News followed five people trying to navigate the changing face of education.