We're in our sixth week of distance learning due to COVID-19. From day to day, my feelings about it range from happy and content to angry and restless. On the one hand, I feel more organized when it comes to lesson plans and scheduling. Removing so much "extra" has allowed me to focus on what I really need my students to finish the school year understanding. I've been forced to minimize assignment topics to the true necessary content, which seems to prevent confusion. Because I typically incorporate a lot of technology/online resources in my class anyway, adjusting to distance learning has been relatively smooth. I'm also feeling really grateful for the opportunity to be more involved in my own children's learning at home. I appreciate the small pockets of time throughout the day when I can have lunch with my kids, sneak in a snuggle, or take a break in the backyard with them. Those parts have been quite a blessing.
Unfortunately, distance learning hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns. I miss my students. I miss their wit, humor, smiles, excitement. I miss knowing how they are doing as soon as they walk into my classroom and hearing about their lives. While I use Zoom and email to connect frequently, it's just not the same. Student participation has decreased. I have fewer students submitting work, even though their assigned work is fraction of what they usually get at school. I know this is likely because some have little to no support at home due to working parents and other challenges. Much of my work time lately is spent trying to find a way to communicate with students about work that needs to be completed. Distance learning has been challenging also because the expectations from our administrators/district leaders seem to be continuously changing and adapting to the situation. It's not their fault because none of us ever expected to be working this way, but it is frustrating.
I know I am not alone in these feelings and that it will not last forever, but there is a discontentment that goes with the idea that we're teaching in a way that so drastically different from what we're used to. I know teachers, students, parents, and administrators all feel the pressure to work hard even though we don't necessarily know what the best procedures are. It all feels like trial and error. Regardless, I think we will all be stronger for working through this tough time. We're learning new skills and adapting lessons in ways we never would've considered. If you thought teachers were amazing before, just wait until after all this blows over!
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