“I had the weirdest dream last night [where] we were back at school but we had this emergency and we were all running, trying to grab our books and get out of the building. I think it’s plaguing my mind that we just up and left the school,” said French teacher Molly Brooks.
Students aren’t alone in their anxieties about the uncertainty of this current situation. Teachers are being impacted just as much, placed in a new situation of balancing work and family. Like many of us, however, they’re grateful that we’re able to be doing online school.
“It keeps me busy and it keeps me sane. My work is very important to me and doing a good job is very, very important to me and so I was overwhelmed for the first couple weeks trying to create the curriculum,” said Brooks. “I feel like maybe my family suffered because of that, so I’m trying to find a better balance point.”
Each teacher is adjusting differently depending on the course they teach and the number of levels. For Brooks, she has to balance different levels of French and the multiple skills that must be taught at each level.
“Adjusting to changes that are made almost daily has been the biggest challenge so far,” science teacher Bradley Miller said. “[Teaching from home] is definitely different. It’s hard to get used to.”
“I’m actually missing you guys,” Miller added.
As of April 24, schools across the state are closed for the rest of the year. Every teacher and student has to go through this transition together and learn what works best for them in this time.
“I have chosen works which I hope will help students think about important questions regarding our relationships and responsibility to each other as humans, as well as reflect on ourselves and our character,” said English teacher Kathryn Edelstein. “If ever there was a time to make sure students aren’t doing ‘busy work’ it is now.”
Students and teachers alike are missing the comfort of in-person teaching, but despite these challenges, teachers are working to keep us engaged and continue our learning.
“I think [being kind] is so important right now. I see a lot of not nice messages and stuff like that on social media and I wish people would be a little bit more kind because literally everybody is trying to do their very best,” Brooks said. “Maybe it’s not what you think is the best, but that’s what they can give today and that’s really important for all of us to realize.”
Photo by Eloise Rich/The ECHO
