The recent events surrounding Covid19 have simply left my head spinning. In what feels like a minute- the Corona Virus became a pandemic, shut down entire nations (Poor Italy), and shut down American Schools.
This is unlike anything I have seen or witnessed before as I am sure most agree. We are now using words like Social Distancing and Remote Learning as if they were common terms.
The amount of stress on a teacher during the regular school year is a lot. Now, teachers are expected to perform all of their magic via Google Classroom on moment’s notice????
I spoke to many teachers tonight from all over New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Some districts are off for two weeks, some until April 20th, and Mayor DeBlasio of New York- today said there was a chance that he may have to cancel the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. Cancel the school year???? What is going on?
It is the mission of TEACH TLC to help teachers find resources and do what we can to make your life the best that it can be- to do all the things for you that you do for your students each and every day.
Tomorrow morning schools all over the nation are going “remote” with little or no training for teachers or students. Though many of us wonder why there was no Plan B- why no one had addressed this sooner- we are here and we need to deal with it the best we can. The silver lining in this mess is that at least we are all in the same boat- trying to build the plane while in flight! We are going to make mistakes- and as we tell our students, that is okay. We will learn from our mistakes and we will be better for them. This is truly going to change education as we know it. Perhaps the value of a teacher in the classroom will finally be recognized.
Over the next two weeks that most of you are off… you are probably going to be busier than ever before. No matter what take care of yourself! It is crucial that you remember to breathe, relax, and to try to do things that make you feel good- things that “fill your tank”. Running on empty helps no one.
I am sure many of you have children or spouses, or parents, or even pets that really need you. Do not let the crazy lesson plans, uploading to Google, and whatever else has been thrown at you- destroy you. We WILL get through this- it WILL be okay. I know it is going to be a rough and probably scary time over the coming weeks- it will be for everyone. However, now more than ever, it is so important to find healthy outlets for stress, ways to relax, and to nurture your inner self.
Do not isolate yourself. Reach out to friends, family, colleagues. Workout, even in your living room. Play board games, watch movies, clean out the closet, take a bath. Do something to alleviate your stress.
I have attached an article I read and thought was helpful. I hope you enjoy.
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13876619/self-care-tips-to-get-you-through-the-new-coronavirus-normal
As we navigate this unchartered territory, there will be anxiety. Stress may seem inevitable. Now that you know that, you can deal with it. Take a breath- you are not perfect nor can you master something that is new to the entire world. Just as we tell our students- do your best, for that is all anyone can do after all.
Education is my passion. I love learning, I love teaching, I love my student, and value teachers more than I can express. I wish all the best and will post any and all resources I find and we will help in anyway that we can!
Stay healthy and good luck on your first day of :remote school”!
If there is anything we can do- please do not hesitate to reach out to us at :
ehealy@teachtlc.org.