Teaching in a Pandemic

 This pandemic has exposed many inequities in our society.  We learned that those at the bottom of the pay scale are also those essential workers who make our society function.  We learned that many American workers could not make it through one week without a paycheck.  We learned that our largest school districts are also our most vulnerable.  We learned that while those at the top talk and fill out paperwork, teachers took action and made sure students were connected, studies continued, and families had what they needed to make this crisis more manageable.   Teachers didn't wait for officials to act.  They got on Google Meet and had class.  Teachers didn't wait around twiddling their thumbs while officials were thinking about how every student will get a device for remote learning.  They made phone calls, emailed students, and reached as many families as possible to assure them this would be okay.  Teachers taught whoever showed up at...

What do educators think about during these trying times?   We think about students mostly.   We think about students trying to log in without adequate internet.  We think about crap Chrome Books the district purchased for this daunting task. Lead, asbestos, mold -- we think about it.   Thirty five-year-olds in one classroom.  We think about it. A boiler that causes arctic temperatures in one room and the tropics in another. Yes, we think about this. We think about sitting in buildings with windows that rattle in the winter wind. We think, why do I have another book with the same stories and skills as my last book? Educators think about how all of these things affect our students, our kids.