There were rumors about back-to-school plans, again, while not ideal, the plans seemed doable, safe, and possible. However, yesterday I listened to the proposals for back-to-school in the fall and I must say the proposals were depressing. Instead of school as we know it or school that's anything like what we've been working towards for many, many years--the school program outlined sounded a lot more like going to jail. It was a very strict protocol with large numbers of students at uncomfortable desks three feet apart wearing masks and a teacher at the front of the room with a mask on. As I envisioned this day, I kept thinking about what this would mean--scenarios like the following came to mind:
- uncomfortable children sitting for long periods of time -- many eventually acting out due to the fact that they have to stay still
- a teacher trying to convey messages from the front of the room in a mask
- a room squished with desks with little room for the ways we typically work together and spread out
- a squished room without room for the materials we typically use
- desks spread out to fit everyone in, but everyone won't be able to see the board given the size and shape of the room
- little movement with specialists teachers coming into the classroom
- sharing old bathrooms with a large number of staff members
- no space for prep or planning, and needing to sit in my car during lunch and breaks
- about 450 people squished in one relatively small building all day every day
Unlike the remote teaching in the fall where we could replicate most of the teaching we do, we will not be able to replicate the good teaching we do in this squished environment--this will be teaching that I've never done before, teaching that is stiff, unfriendly, and not as effective as the multi-modal, child-centered teaching we've been able to do for so long.
So what is a teacher to do?
My first focus is physical and psychological survival for me and my students. I don't want us to get sick and I don't want us to get depressed or upset. How can I make that happen?
Make sure that protocols are safe and doable
I'l work with the local and state union to make sure that the protocols created are safe and doable. I will also stay informed about how this virus acts and advocate for safe-as-possible back to school protocols. I don't want to put myself or the students in harm's way.
Follow the protocols set
I will follow the protocols set, and I will encourage all children to follow the protocols set.
Spend only required time at school
I will make sure that my time at school is only that which is required. I will avoid as many people and spaces as I can to stay as safe as possible.
Focus on tech-related education
I will focus on tech-related education since there's a great likelihood that we will go virtual at times during the year if one or more children get sick. Children and teachers will need to be ready to shift quickly to virtual teaching and learning.
Taking sick days when I am unwell
If unwell, I will take sick days.
I was discouraged when I learned of yesterday's plan. I was hoping for something more positive and creative. The rumors about a hybrid plan in the spring were hopeful as I could imagine a lot of creative and safe teaching with reduced numbers of children, but to think that we can replicate school as we know it with the tight framework preferred and large numbers of students simply is not accurate. Yet, with psychological and physical safety as the priority, I will do what I can.
