Operation: Back to School [in a pandemic]

Back to school time is seriously our favorite time of year.  It’s truly our love languages.  Kaysin loves the purging, cleaning, and reorganizing of things. Robyn loves to decorate and coordinate things flawlessly.  Together, we make a great team.

But… going back to school *in a pandemic* just isn’t the same.  It has been much harder to get in the spirit.  Early in the summer, we went to school late at night (just like we always do) and started our normal process:  empty out cabinets, throw junk away, reorganize, etc.  Then, we both had the grand idea to completely change classroom themes, so we had to take down bulletin boards and decorations and replace it.  We were in our element and loving life. Soon after though, the reality of the new school year set in, and we just haven’t been the same since.

This year looks vastly different for us, just like it does for just about everyone.  We may get whiplash from trying to keep up with all of the changes.  First day jitters seem to be shifting into permanent anxiety.  But, we are going to make the most of it.  Grit and grace - that is our mantra this year.  We are going to have to get gritty and push harder than ever before.  And man… we are going to need some major grace from our families, each other, our students, and our administrators (and we need to be willing to GIVE grace just as freely as we receive it).  Grit and grace will get us through this year, and it could still be the best one yet.

We have a unique vantage point because we work in the same school, in the same grade level, but we are doing different things for 2020.  Kaysin is the district’s virtual teacher for all of first grade and has a child entering kindergarten this year.  Robyn is teaching in-person - hopefully social-distanced enough for the firsties to be able to take their masks off frequently throughout the day.  That’s the plan right now.

Our district has been extremely proactive and forward-thinking about how to get prepared and we are SO proud.  Kaysin, along with other teachers across the district in grades K-5, has worked all summer recording instructional videos and organizing instructional materials in preparation for virtual learners.  Curriculum maps have been created, weekly assignments organized, weekly student checklists prepared, and videos for core instruction recorded in advance.  The plan is to provide families that choose virtual learning with an online hub for videos, if they have internet access, and a paper packet of materials to complete alongside the videos.  Kaysin will make contact with families at least weekly, and will hold 2 short live teaching sessions daily for supplemental work.  If families do not have internet access, we are providing them with a jump drive with the videos, plus a device if needed.  Materials will be distributed in 2-3 week chunks, so families don’t get overwhelmed.

Robyn on our first day back!

Kaysin after the first day back!

Robyn will work in the classroom with real-life, masked kiddos.  She will stay on pace with the curriculum map designed by the teachers that worked together over the summer.  Grading will need to be the same, but the delivery of the instruction will be up to Robyn and her expertise.  Robyn will have packets and jump drives prepared, in case we have a state-mandated shutdown and have to switch to NTI.  

It’s all a lot to digest.  We still have over a week before school starts, so we are finding our groove and figuring out ways to bring out our back to school spirit.  There are just so many unknowns and so many questions. 

At the end of the day, we know we are going to FLOCK IT this year just by doing these 3 things:  

 

1. Stay positive! - Try to stay in situations and around people that are going to promote positive thinking.  Avoid negative people and toxic situations at all costs.  If you have a moment of weakness, find your flock, talk it out (or cry it out, if you’re like us), and let it go.  You can find the good in there somewhere!

2. Be flexible! - It's okay to be frustrated, but take a deep breath, and pivot.  Teachers are the most flexible professionals out there.  You've got this!

3. Show up and SHOW OUT! - Your classroom may look different and you may have new rules and procedures but YOU are still there.  Use your skills and tools to continue making learning fun and growing those babies.  They deserve it and so do you! 

We will keep you guys updated as we embark on this new teaching adventure.  We hope to use our unique situation to shed light from different viewpoints.