Thirteen - it’s an odd number and supposedly unlucky. We’re Taylor Swift fans, so we appreciate the number, but it has never held any true significance beyond reminiscing on our thirteenth birthdays many years ago. But, Friday, March THIRTEENTH 2020 everything changed. The number - or date, rather - now has so much importance in our lives and honestly, it’s heavy.
When we think back on March 13th, we see chaos, confusion, denial, and the unknown. That day changed everything for us, like we’re sure it did for many of you. “Life will never be same” is a phrase that was tossed around nonchalantly back in March, but now, in September, it’s no longer a cute phrase met with smiles - it seems like more of a threat, met with anxiety and fear. What if life isn’t ever the same? What if we can never go back to normal? What if we are still in chaos, confusion, and denial? Told ya...it’s heavy.
Since then, we’ve learned a lot. We have grown and evolved as professionals. We have the same worries we’ve always had + more worries we never knew would be worries. For Robyn, contact tracing has become part of daily lesson consideration. She is getting to teach in-person (and FLOCKIN’ IT daily), but she worries about social distancing and managing mask wearing. Kaysin is learning how to communicate with distance learning families more effectively, but worries about the kids that live in rural areas that do not have internet access. What about the low socio-economic kids whose families cannot afford more food? How in the world can interventions take place or IEP requirements be met? Also, Kaysin’s child started kindergarten, in-person, and that brings on a whole new set of worries. Guys, we could go on and on. The worries are there, growing daily, and they are real.
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| Sweet students in Robyn's class - masks on, working hard. |
The number 13 is weird for so many reasons. But, if something has significance in your life, then it’s important to reflect on. So, here’s 13 reflections from us for navigating this new unknown world:
Sometimes, teaching can be lonely. You can feel like you are on an island by yourself. Find your flock - they don’t have to be teachers. You need your people now more than ever.
It’s okay to cry. We cry a lot - when we’re happy, when we’re stressed, sad, excited… we cry a lot, and that’s okay. We just don’t let each other live in tears all the time.
Learning is still fun. The kids that Robyn’s getting to teach in-person are having a blast. Kaysin’s remote students are working hard and always have a smile on their face (or in their voice).
Adapting to new rules is hard. We can do it, but dang… it’s tough.
Kids are resilient. Kaysin’s own child doesn’t complain about wearing a mask - even though many Kindergarten students aren’t wearing one. Robyn’s students follow her rules and expectations. Masks aren’t an issue, and they’re still able to be kids.
Our school district has really tried to make this situation as tolerable as possible for all stakeholders.
Changing rules suck. Every day it seems like we get 400 new rules to replace the 400 rules from yesterday.
Teaching is exhausting. Our summers are important, and it feels like we didn’t get our break. We’re tired.
Showing up is half the battle. We are tired, but we are showing up. Seeing those kids and talking to those families is the only motivation we need to get things done and make learning fun.
Kids have missed school. They are craving the routines and predictability of their days.
Ask the questions...allllll the questions. Administrators and colleagues may not have the answers, but asking questions will get the needed conversations going.
You can find good in every day. You may have to get creative to find it, but there is something worth celebrating every single day.
Teachers could rule the world. Every problem has a teacher ready to pick it apart to solve it. Every setback has a teacher leading the comeback. Every hungry child has a teacher providing snacks. Everything wrong in the world could be fixed by teachers.
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