1. It is not easy.
First quarter done. Check. Sleep deprivation. Check. No time to think, consider. Check. No time to grade. Check. No time to plan. Check. No time to intervene with weak learners. Check. Have to do all of those things anyway. Check.
2. The variables are constant, the constants don't exist
Every day the class situation is completely different. Nothing is consistent. Different kids in the class, different kids in the meet every day. Different wifi strength every day. Not to mention the other things that change every day in the life of a classroom.
3. Lesson plans are wishes
Lesson plans usually are my road map and keep me on the path. This year, they are hopes for where I would like to have been if it were not for the aforementioned challenges.
4. Assessments without cheating are not possible
I have been advised by many people that I need to just submit to the idea that students are cheating and to live with it. This goes against my need for fairness and integrity. I'm doing my best to limit the cheating, but I can't just accept that this is what we have to accept.
5. People are whiny
Parents are whiny. (He told me he turned that in, why is it a zero?) (Why do you do so much work?) Students are whiny. (No, I can't make your reception of my Google meet into a HD format.) Not to mention our colleagues (Can you believe....?) or our admin (you need to do ...........to keep the parents happy.) I'm trying not to be whiny, but thankful.
6. Don't inconvenience Precious
From the homebound family (I have a hybrid situation) - Can you get us the essential material. We won't be here next week. We are going to Disney World. (True story). From the in class student: (We can't stay for office hours or make up that test because we have volleyball practice.)
7. Kids are disposable
It doesn't matter how the situation is affecting the student, they have to adjust. Sure, don't worry about the class session. If I have one more parent ask me if we are going to do something while their student is being pulled out for something that detracts from their student's academic progress, I may scream.
8. Expectations have to change
"We have to decide what is essential and only teach that". I submit to you that all of these kids will have to take an SAT or an ACT at some point and that what Miss Jones or Mrs. Smith or Mr. Brown thought was "essential" may not advance students on their college entrance. It's like who is an essential worker or not. What is an essential skill? Aren't they all essential if they are in the standards?
9. You are encouraged to abandon your principles
Just grade easy...these are tough times. (see above) All feedback is good feedback.
10. You are encouraged to group think instead of think
These are the things I am seeing on blogs - we all need to do this. Drop the expectations, accept cheating and do what everyone else is doing.
11. You will be manipulated to use certain products as "best practices"
These are the things we are doing....you need to do them too. If you aren't using Pear Deck, how can you possibly be doing a good job. Hey, if it is working for your students, that is fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I may explore and try it too, but I may find something else that best helps my students.
12. "Best practices" may well be different for all of us.
See number 11. Do what works in your classroom. Differentiate. Reach every part of your class. Use different methods. Do your best.
13. Students are fragile
Most students spent months in their houses, or with very little social interaction. Be merciful to students as they arrive back to school. The schedule can be overwhelming.
14. Colleagues are fragile.
Many of our colleagues have fears and concerns about the health of their loved ones and their own health. Be kind. They are maxed out.
15. Administration is fragile.
Many of the admin team feel like they are reading the tea leaves to determine what is safest and best. Give them grace.
16. Not only are we flying the plane as we construct it, we are also flying without instruments and relying on the landscape.
17. You have to be invincible
Neither rain, nor broken wifi, nor nasty emails, nor workload can slow us down.
18. You have to be responsive to feedback while managing to be impervious to feedback.
We need to be listening to the feedback we receive and evaluate it on the merits. We need to ignore the noise and respond to the valid points.
19. No one believes you the teacher, knows best, for the classroom, but your kids need you to know what is best.
We can do this. Hang in there.
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