I should probably say that this is still crisis teaching.
For me and my family, this is still crisis living. We’ve picked up somewhat of a rhythm but nothing sustainable in the long run. My autoimmune keeps our family on tight lock down, but my health is another story for another day.
I can tell you that I am lonely. I long for quick trips to the grocery store, shopping for clothes, perusing the thrift stores, and going out to lunch with friends. I REALLY miss friends. They are still there, but it feels like they aren’t. It feels like this time apart has forced a wedge into those relationships making them distant as well.
It’s hard for everyone in different ways. I feel lucky to be able to isolate with my family when so many people have to keep going out to work or may not have family to isolate with. I try to keep that in the forefront of my mind. But, we are going on month NINE over here! As much as I love my family, the need for my “village” is clear. We all need breaks from each other. My kids need other kids.
All of the above has less to do with teaching than I originally started out wanting to share, but I think it’s a pretty global experience. The options are hard right now. Our village of collaboration has been upended, and we are less able to help each other bear the burdens of life. This new crazy, surreal, mask wearing world lies at the core of why we are in crisis teaching mode.
We need to give teachers, schools, and ourselves grace.
Schools were not prepared to teach this way…And no, one summer is not even close to the amount of time needed to completely shift from teaching in person to having all of their lessons ready to go for digital instruction. Not to mention, getting the technology lined up and teaching the children and their families the tech skills needed to navigate it. You might have shifted to the homeschool world, like we have. This was not in the original plan, so give your yourself grace!! As much as we want it to be, as much as we NEED it to be, education is not going to run as a well-oiled machine this school year.
We are in a pandemic. Staying healthy physically & mentally should be our top priorities. This means that our expectations should be different. Instruction is going to look different. The most important thing we can do for our children, for each other, and for ourselves is to forgive mistakes, change what we can for the better, and move forward with what seems to be working. Keep everyone’s mental health as the #1 priority, and the kids will be ok.
I can’t solve our problems, but I have created a few resources to help us get by in the meantime. Check them out below:
Social Emotional Learning ……. Teaching Resources ……. Make a PDF Digital
You are absolutely 100% right – this is not normal schooling and is definitely crisis schooling! We need to give parents and teachers grace because it is not normal at all!
Thanks Kelly! I agree. I’ve heard many parents comment that this year is much better than the end of last year because schools prepped for it over the summer. On one hand, a little time to prep is better than none. However, a change of this scale can not be completed in a matter of a few months. Families are in crisis mode at home too, so it’s time to relax our expectations and place mental health as #1.