Reflections

The last day of this weird, unsettled roller coaster of a school year is finally here. I’m relieved, nostalgic and a little hopeful as we head into summer break.

I went into the building this week to proctor the Living Environment Regents exam. This is one of the exams that HAD to be given as it is tied to federal money, but it just had to be given. The number of students who took it didn’t seem to matter. I had two students. It sort of summed up a lot of what happened in the city this year with in-person learning, at least in my school. We did it because we were supposed to, but it was pointless and a waste of resources. I hope the students who took the test were successful, but I still don’t understand what purpose giving standardized, pen and paper tests in a year like this serves.

There were positives too. I enjoyed my work with my student teacher. I liked getting to know my students and seeing their growth. I appreciated how remote learning benefitted my self-contained students in ways I didn’t expect. And I was able to push the self-contained kids more in this setting than I was able to in person because of this. I got to know some new co-teachers, and got along with them. I would love to teach with them again in person, so we can realize our full potential as a team.

After last summer’s anxiety, I feel better at least knowing I’m vaccinated and that we are returning to in person learning full time so I can prepare myself. I am still unsure of what, exactly, re-entry looks like for both me and my students, and my school…but those are things that remain to be seen in September.

Have a great summer – you deserve it!