A Year Later: Coming Back to School

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A lot happens in a year. Especially when that year involves not only a heated political election, but also a deadly pandemic. So, with the world in chaos, how are our students fairing? 


As a Parent:

I had always wondered how I would do as a homeschool teacher...I had my chance. My child ended 2nd grade with a twist, and started her adventure into third-grade via Zoom. The digital format of communicating through video for school was new. With multiple login sessions, being present with stable connection on our district-assigned Chromebook was a constant chore. Nonetheless, assignments got completed albeit with some tears along the way. When school buildings reopened, my child was as excited to play on monkey bars and eat lunch with her friends. Our district re-openings came with many regulations to abide by, at which the cost of these freedoms was definitely worth the smiles. The challenge of homeschooling is one that I have much more respect for. It has forever changed the world of learning, which I am curious to see. 

As a Teacher:

Okay, so being a teacher is hard. It is not difficult in the way of planting math equations in student's heads, making sure they use "your" and "you're" properly, or by having students absorb a concept until the cows come home. No, being a teacher is hard because you get to immerse yourself into the lives of other people's children...hoping to leave them happy and hopefully a bit more educated than you found them. Teachers really are like second parents. My daughter has a second mom (or dad) every year she attends a new grade... one that I have always been thankful for because after all, they do spend nearly 1/3 of the day with your kid...

Being out of school for a year has wreaked havoc. On students. On teachers. Not just on academics, but also mental and emotional health. Some children have experienced trauma. Some children have gone hungry without school cafeteria services. Some children have been displaced due to economic disparities that the pandemic has sadly highlighted. Many students expressed notions of sadness, isolation, and fear of the unknown. 

In order for buildings to stay open, we as facilitators have to be vigilant in regulating mandates in place by local governments. These extra rules and legalities can be a source of frustration. The demeanor of children are becoming lighter and more sociable, but the scars of the pandemic's wrath on mental health are apparent. Hopefully this builds resiliency. 

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