A teacher came up with a $13 fix that allows her to speak clearly through her mask to students all day

• In the US, 55% of district leaders said teachers will be obligated to wear masks when schools reopen to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
• But masks can cause discomfort and interfere with a person's speech, which is particularly problematic for teachers.
• Angie Madden, a Georgia teacher, demonstrated how wearing a simple plastic bracket underneath a mask can help with both of those issues.

Across the US, 55% of district leaders said school employees will be required to wear face masks when schools reopen in person in the fall.

While masks have proven to be one of the most effective mitigation strategies during the coronavirus pandemic, they also present numerous challenges, especially for teachers. Face coverings can feel stifling and may move around or fall off during the day. It can also be difficult to speak clearly through a mask, which is essential for educators who need to constantly communicate with their students.

Angie Madden, a second grade teacher who lives in Milledgeville, Georgia, shared an inexpensive and effective fix she saw another teacher post on TikTok, which addresses those issues. In a video she shared on Facebook, Madden demonstrated how she first puts a plastic face bracket over her nose and chin. Once the bracket is in place, Madden then places her cloth covering over it.

The accessory — which costs $12.99 for a set of five — essentially creates a barrier, which stabilizes the mask. It also keeps the face covering from directly touching the wearer's face, preventing it from interfering with a person's speech.

"I can talk all day at school and be heard clearly," Madden told Insider. "It was a win-win."

• Read more:
• Your kids could get the coronavirus when they go back to school. These are the risks and benefits to weigh before sending them.
• Why an epidemiologist is keeping her 3 school-age kids home from school this fall
• We asked 3 doctors and an epidemiologist whether they're sending their kids back to school. Here's what they said.
• The YMCA provided childcare to 40,000 kids during lockdown and said it didn't see any coronavirus outbreaks. Here are 11 precautions it took that worked.