Here We Are…We Are Here

Well, here we are.

I have to say I never could have imagined the turn that teaching has taken. With all the craziness that is going on in the world today, I am not surprised that teachers have just “Kept Calm(ish) and Carried On.” Many of us were given about 7 days to take a bunch of online courses, completely revamp our resources, delivery, and approach. We did it. We pushed through, “figured it out,” and did it all with a smile.

Here we are. We are doing it.

In the morning, I record my video message for my class. I have a smile on my face. I wish one child a happy birthday, holding up the sign I made after my own kids went to bed the night before. I stand out on my deck and share my garden and my plants with my kids. I am do everything I can to help them stay connected.

My co-worker records a lesson on “drawing conclusions” in his back yard, highlighting his bee hive and a giant branch that fell in the latest storm. His son records his lesson and helps him edit it and get it ready for our students.

Another one of my co-workers records an entire chapter book read aloud, chapter by chapter (after seeking out permission from the publisher), and shares it with her students.

Yet another co-workers is standing outside placing paper bag meals on the a grab-and-go no contact table for families that would benefit from meals.

All of my co-workers spent time decorating their cars, making posters, and driving through all of our students’ neighborhoods while waving, screaming and hanging out our windows…so our students feel loved and connected.

Many of us have children of our own. The balance is brutal. We are recording our own lessons, often while trying to keep our own kids out of the frame or keeping the quiet and occupied. We are trying to help our students through assignments, all while working with our own kids. We are cooking more meals, maintaining our homes, trying to get some exercise, and trying not to eat all the things! We are disinfecting groceries and Amazon packages. We are all doing our best.

The fear creeps in, but we push it aside.

I drive to my own grandparents’ house, worrying that they are feeling lonely. I can’t visit up close, but I bring them food that will need to be wiped down “just in case.” Just a few days ago, I talked my Gramma through installing Skype on her computer because I worried that she was feeling alone and missing everyone. When I stopy by, I leave them some games they can play with my kids over Skype.

Another day we sit in my car and talk to my parents through the window, from a distance. There are no hugs or kisses. My daughter smiles but then she cries. We all smile and say it’s okay and that we can give an “air hug” for now.

We all put on a happy face for our children. Whether they are our own children or our students, we try to make it seem as though it is all okay. That is what we do as teachers. When we are tired. When we are stressed. When we are spread so thin. When we are uncertain. We show up for our kids. We are here.