*It’s Back To School Season!
It was July, the summer had just begun and within the first week, we received word… schools will be reopening. My first thought as a teacher and administrator was “FANTASTIC! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! FINALLY! WE MADE IT THROUGH”. To be honest, I think that was more the administrator side of me thinking we need to re-open or we’re going to flounder!
It did take a while for my teacher side to kick in, but eventually it appeared even if I tried to neglect it as much as possible.
To be fair I also knew that our micro preschool and staff would be a safer place to return to than oversized public and private schools. We don’t have floors and floors of classrooms. We don’t have an oversized staff. I also know we’d go above and beyond all new measures that were being implemented.
How do I know this you ask? Because I would make sure of it! That’s my job. I knew that we would far surpass what is being regulated because we always have and will continue to do so, especially in moments of anxiety and much needed caution. If there was ever a time for my OCD and cleaning habits to kick in, it’s now!
But, it doesn’t leave me without some remaining anxiety about what to expect once we were all back at school and in the classroom. As much as we prepare and train, someone will come in sick one day and we might not catch it in time. And I’ll be at the forefront for any angry parent or teacher if someone falls ill. Hellooo anxiety!!!
However, I couldn’t let that overtake the big picture. So the actual thought of being in the classroom with all my students again was something I was quickly going to have to get over. And I was ready to be back. I was ready for my normal schedule and the daily routine I missed so dearly. I was ready to see my kids faces again and get our school community back together.
And what better time than the beginning of the school year?
So after the teacher’s had some time to prep themselves mentally for their return and the parents as well, the teaching staff decided on a September 1st re-opening (although honestly, I would have loved it to be sooner).
And we were off! Training all through July and some of August before a quick teacher break, participating in workshops provided by the NYC Dept. of Health, and more.
*The Teacher Prep and Planning Process
One of the things that helped ease the teachers worries is the amount of prep and planning that occurred prior to the beginning of school. Again, read the post linked above for a basic overview of what schools have had to do on their way to reopening. There were endless trainings, meeting, info-sheets, workshops. You name it, we did it. I know that personally helped me feel prepared for opening day and I know my staff were thankful for it as well.
Was it a lot of work? Absolutely. But it did put a lot of apprehension to bed and helped give the teachers the confidence they needed that they can do this. With every email they got a better understanding of what they needed to do and what was expected of the families in order for them to help too.
*A Teacher’s Hope
So…
The hope for reopening and the upcoming school year is that everyone takes these new measures and regulations as seriously we do.
Truthfully, teachers are no different than anyone else. When we say we have the same anxieties, same fears, same worries when it comes to living through a pandemic it’s because its true. We are living through the same pandemic as you.
Just because we’re teachers doesn’t make us immune to any of the concerns because back to school is happening. We’re still mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, etc. We have a family to care for just as much all the families looking to return. Teachers are more concerned than ever before with returning to school even with all the preparation. We want to keep ourselves as healthy as you want your kids to be.
The hope is if we all work together then we can help manage that fear and anxiety, and over time hope that it dissipates.
*The Reality
We’ll have to wait and see what the reality is once schools do reopen. Our first day was this week and it’s a ball that is slow to get rolling.
Hopefully as the year continues more families will be ready to join, and please know that the teachers and staff are doing everything they can to keep your kiddos and themselves and their families safe.
And in a sign of support, parents please do all you can to keep your teachers safe as well, for all our fears are just the same as yours, but here we are…showing up because we love teaching your little ones.
To all the teachers who are returning.. stay strong, stay calm, and stay healthy and happy. Let’s get this school year underway!
(I can also provide an update in a few weeks once we’re really moving through the fall semester for any parents who are still deciding on in-person learning or remote learning).
And as always, If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please share them in the comments section below with your fellow parents! And definitely subscribe to the newsletter for updates and ongoing happenings at TylekTeaches.com. The subscription link is just at the bottom of this post.
Leave a Reply