As we close 2020, many of us are uncertain about what the future holds. When can we all get the vaccines that are beginning to be available? Will it be safe to go back into school buildings? Will we be able to keep our kids engaged and happy when we have to spend less time outside due to the winter weather?
When I reflect about 2020, I think about how as teachers, we basically had to re-learn how to do our jobs between March and now. I find myself saying to my students fairly often, “If we were together in the classroom, we’d do this, but instead…” While Pear Deck and Jamboard have provided some of the necessary interactive elements into online lessons, they still aren’t a substitute for being with my students in the classroom. I am a little sad that while I got to know my fall semester 10 graders as best I could, there were still several that were names in black boxes on my screen, and I don’t know if I will ever hear their voices.
I still do believe that we should not open school buildings until it is safe for everyone, students and staff alike. I don’t know when that is going to happen, but I hope the powers that be are thoughtful and methodical in their approach. I don’t think it is right to further privilege some voices as to whether schools should be above others and our leaders need to be mindful of this tendency. Even though it is less than ideal, I still feel like I have had some successes with my students virtually and hope to make these experiences more of the rule than the exception.
Remote learning is not all good or all bad; it’s what how the teachers and students adapt to it and to each other that matters. The social interaction can be there, but we can’t expect it to look the same. I have plenty of students who feel sad and overwhelmed by the pandemic and what is happening in the world, but I also know a that many of them are coming up with new and creative things to do, while life looks a little bit different. This last part is not really being talked about, most of the focus has been on “getting back to normal” rather than adapting and changing the way both adults and children see things. I think this will continue to evolve as we head into the new year, and I hope that most are open to it, whether it’s new ways to teach or different ways of learning.
I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. It can only get better, right?
Meditations on Literature and Literacy...Continued 