One Year Reflection
I can’t believe it has been exactly one year since schools shut down and one year of teaching during a pandemic. I can honestly say that it has not gotten any easier and I feel like Dory from Finding Nemo, constantly reminding myself “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.” The reality is that it is very easy to feel like you are drowning (anytime but especially during this school year). So I wanted to take this time to share what I have learned about staying afloat.
It’s okay if you are surviving, not thriving.
First and foremost, we are living and teaching through a traumatic event. Some teachers are virtual, some are in-person, and some are a blend of the two. No matter through which modality you deliver instruction, teaching is hard. The demands placed on us are ever-growing and there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. It is perfectly okay if you are just surviving the year, rather than thriving. I am right there with you.
Less is more.
While teaching in multiple modalities, I have found it best to slow down the curriculum and teach the essential skills, especially for my virtual students. I have accepted that I will get through what I can get through and that’s the best I can do. Lessons that normally take me a day have taken me 2-3 days and that is okay. I am planning less for the time constraints of class as well. Sometimes we finish early and go outside (when it’s nice). Sometimes we finish early and play a game. Sometimes we finish early and just talk about our day. During this unprecedented time, less is more.
Utilize catch-up days.
Like other subjects, math builds and when students didn’t complete the last lesson, they have a hard time understanding new concepts of the next lesson. I have learned to build in catch-up days. Once a week or every few weeks (depending on the course), I offer a catch-up class period for students to complete the work they owe. This gives me an opportunity to breathe, catch up on my to-do list, and work with students who need assistance. Sometimes, I will provide an enrichment opportunity for students who are always caught up, and sometimes it turns into a game day for all my students.
Turn off notifications.
My district allows students to turn in late work for credit so my inbox would be inundated with hundreds of notifications within an 8-hour span. It completely stressed me out. One of the best things I have done is turn off Canvas notifications. If students complete an assignment after the “due date”, they must message me. I reiterate this same message to parents/guardians so we are clear on the expectations. I can’t tell you how something so simple relieved so much anxiety. In addition, I would not recommend having district email on your phone. Unplug and unwind when you get home from school. You deserve it.
Prioritize where you spend your energy.
In the past, I have prided myself on being a “good” teacher. My definition of a good teacher has changed during this pandemic. I have learned to prioritize where I spend my energy. Sometimes that means buying a resource from Teachers Pay Teachers or finding a Quizizz rather than making one. Sometimes that means having a “boring” lesson rather than all the bells and whistles. Sometimes that means not opening my laptop until the next day. Prioritizing where and how you spend your energy does not make you a bad teacher.
Final Thoughts
Staying afloat this year is difficult but I hope these 5 tips will help you. Please remember to take care of yourself and make time for yourself. Remember, you got this! Summer is on the way! I would love to hear your tips for making it through the school year. Comment below!
