So Wednesday and Thursday there was training to make sure teachers could handle that. Wednesday the district provided a bunch of videos and Google Classrooms for teachers to work through self-paced instruction. Then Thursday, our school based team did a live training in the same form we are asking the teachers to do with their students. There were three of us. One teacher delivered instruction, another monitored chat to answer questions. I was the crazy lady running from classroom to classroom helping the people who couldn't even get in to the training. I did that Wednesday all day as well. If you couldn't find the training, or sign up for it, or log in to your silly computer, you called me and I came running.
There is no reason to think that I have COVID. I wear a mask and wash my hands, and only have the contact I need to do my job. Unfortunately, what I need is to do is to sit next to every sick, fragile, elderly teacher at our school and help them use their computers to teach the kids who won't be here. If I do end up sick, the contact tracing will be a nightmare.
What a strange week it has been. I caught a couple of sunrises before things got really crazy and I stopped being able to sleep at night. It is going to take a while to learn how to gracefully navigate this new normal. I'm a bit worried that the positive tests will start rolling in as soon as the kids come back, but I guess that we will all handle those cases as they happen. The kids are able to choose to stay home, but I can't do that until someone figures out that having us all come together in shared spaces in a state with HUGE community spread of a deadly virus might not be the wisest course of action. I can see all the sides of the issue, truly I can. I'm just a little stressed right now because I'm on a side with no good choices, in shared spaces with people who are going to end up sick.
30 comments:
There are no good answers for the situation you are dealing with. I'm in Georgia where some schools that reopened were closed within a week after massive infection rates. It just doesn't make sense to me, especially the places that aren't requiring masks. I pray that you don't get sick. Good luck!
sorry you are in that position I have several in my family that are teachers and/or aides some are worried and others are ready to get back I'm glad the area they live in have a smaller than average amount of cases but most of their kids are in sports so how long before they all sick!
It's really a nerve wrecking situation. I so understand. I miss my colleagues and want to hug them but, darn, they scare the living lights out of me. :(
We are returning gradually starting Sept 8. I don't want to. I am not essential; I can continue to work from home. I am so not really mentally for this. No one can be prepared mentally to face this. It's like playing Russian Roulette!!
I so hope that the sick person just as a case of anxiety. Stress can come out as a cough. I have a question. If the student's desks are 6' apart, how will you be able to walk in between the rows?
Love the mask AND the face shield. You look very well protected. Stay safe. ;^)
First off - big virtual hug to you. Love the mask. So happy you have a big classroom. I am so sorry for all the stress that our lovely government has put you under. I can see both sides but so worry about our teachers. By putting you all at risk in the classroom, who exactly do they think will be teaching kids as more people come down with this virus.... even if you just get the minimum symptoms of feeling like you are run over by a bus.... you can't teach when you are feeling like that for weeks/months as I have heard it does hang on for a while. Sigh...I have to say I was a little relieved not enough signed up for the zero class robotics so Aidan will not be on campus at all. We will see what his robotics teacher comes up with. Hope you are able to do a little sewing therapy today.
Oh Angela... i'm so sorry this is happening right now. I've thought about you so much these last few weeks, as I pictured what it would be like to be going back to teaching. I would be one of those older teachers needing your help. Take good care - and love the mask/face shield look! ;)
Angela, I'm so sorry that you are in a position that requires you to put yourself in harm's way. I can't imagine living with the stress you currently have to deal with. Sending quilty hugs!!
Oh, Angela. . .what a nightmare. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I hope you and your students all come out of this okay. I completely understand the stress and the not sleeping. At least you are well protected. We'll all be thinking about you and praying for you through this whole thing. Take care.
I am so sorry things are so tough for you and for all teachers. I was a Library Media Specialist, and in my district I was also handling computer problems. You're right, there's no way to do that from a distance, and there are/were so many teachers with anxiety about technology use that just needed a helping hand and a sympathetic ear (and an occasional hug!). I can't see how this system of schooling is going to work, but I know teachers will always do the best they can with whatever comes their way. Good luck!
this is unbelievable... just too crazy to understand how we weren't told/encouraged/mandated to take safety precautions from the start so we could avoid this. Hardly anyone wears masks here, and treats us badly for wearing them. Aerosols from breath transmit it, and with all the talking in schools... well... you know. What you wrote is so important and well written, thank you for telling the story, and a bit of the constant worry you're under. We feel it too. We're personally doing what we can to stay safe and slow infection here in our section of hard headed Colorado.
LeeAnna
We refer to the cautionary tale of Israel in May… they had Covid completely under control in May with 10 cases in the country. Then they reopened the schools with all the safety rules in place (masks for grade 4 and up, distancing, open windows, hand washing etc)and in June they had 22,000 teachers and students in quarantine, and 2,000 of them had covid!
I’m so so sorry you are in this scary position.
Many colleges and universities are staying safe with online learning for the time being, but the public schools here are set to re-open in September. The medical system is bracing for the exact same scenario as Israel had.
It’s unfortunate that even the smartest minds can’t learn from what happened in schools in other countries!
Maybe just pretend you work in the ER at the hospital and follow full PPE protocol. You are not getting paid enough for the level of risk you are taking that's for sure.
Sending you big safe covid-free hugs!
I’m so sorry Angela! You are in the worst situation. I know all teachers are doing the best they can currently. Our granddaughter, a Florida resident as of March 1, has decided to have her 1st grader at home using k-12 online! I know he would benefit from interaction with other kids...but is it worth it?
I just support every parent’s decision because there is no right answer, no perfect solution!
Please take care of yourself! Be safe!
I am so sorry that you are in this position. Your classroom is about three times the size of the one I left 5 years ago. Glad to see that you are covering yourself up. This is such a difficult time. Good luck
OMG, Angela, my heart goes out to you and all the teachers. What you are being asked to do is a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Politicians who think that ignoring the virus are dangerous, stupid and naive. There, I said it! I hope the voters remember that come November. But in the meantime, you and so many other good people are put in harm’s way. I know you’re staying as safe as possible under the circumstances. For what it’s worth, please know you’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Well, you can tell I have been away too long for doing Mr Linky! Sorry - cannot delete the dup! Have a great day and stay as safe as you can! Hugs
I will send prayers for your situation:)
This absolutely crazy!! I totally agree with Cathy and second her opinion--people who do not believe Covid is catchy or still out there and dangerous are FOOLS!!!!!
I am so sorry --and here you have been super careful I am sure...I tell you, some people never think of others...just their selfish selves...
I hope and pray you will be ok..hugs from far away Julierose
I've mentioned your synchronous teaching conundrum to several of my friends here and they all think it is the most ridiculous method of teaching they've ever heard about. I am SO SO SO sorry you are already at high risk from being at school with the other teachers. And you are right about no easy answers but honestly, what you're having to do is so beyond your job description and pay grade. Sending all manner of positive vibes to you and your co-workers!
I hope that you prove to be safe. I'm in home health care, and we are essential, too. Thank goodness I only have one client, so neither of us is very exposed. He's much more likely to get sick from his wife or daughter (both work in health care at large facilities).
Best wishes in your new school year.
I'm so sorry to read of your concerns. Schools seem to be right in the firing line these days, students and teachers both. What is the solution except keep all the students at home, perhaps? Thinking of you and fingers crossed you, your family and your fellow teachers and students get through this crisis untouched. Such a worry to everyone.
There are and never will be any winners when it comes to schools and Covid. It boggles the mind to think so many people don't respect the science or don't seem to care. All I can do is send you virtual hugs and pray you stay safe. I'm glad I'm retired and can stay home as long as necessary.
Pat
This sounds like a terrible situation. And very, very scary. I hope the people you've been in contact with are negative and that you are, too. Thinking of you.
It's a very stressful situation. I don't know if you are taking anything for immune boosting but I thought I'd share this. EVMS has developed one of the most successful covid treatment protocols that's being used in hospitals around the world. They also developed a prophylactic program that you can use. Google EVMS MATH+ peotocol if you want to see it.
I didn't realize Florida's governor had really upped the ante on school openings until I heard about it on The Daily (NYT podcast). Sending virtual hugs and moral support - hang in there!
So sorry to here about your situation. I just don’t get why teachers are expected to teach in a cesspool of deadly germs! Praying for your safety! My District, the teachers are ordered back to the classroom to teach the kids. All kids (elementary level) are staying home. That decision was just made this past week. Teachers are not given much time to take care of their own families or learn the new way of teaching. These are crazy times!
This sounds like a nightmare situation and I am so sorry you and all the teachers have been placed in this untenable situation. We will be dealing with it here next week. Teacher training all this week.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
You summed up the problems with schools and teaching perfectly. Thank you for continuing to teach in spite of all the unknowns and craziness. Stay healthy!
Breathe, Angela. It truly helps in stressful situations. Breathe, pray, repeat. And definitely keep washing your hands ... often.
Wow - what a surreal experience! I am sure you are up for it, but heck - I wish it wasn't something that was happening!! I will send you long distance Hugs!!!!
Thanks for being brave to start the new school year. Stay safe. This pandemic is surreal and I would not have believe it if you told me this would be happening in January. Hopefully we can look back on it and say we did the best that we could have♥
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