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Making Things Work

 I am sure every educator right now is experiencing the same things; stress, anxiety and unknown circumstances day to day.  We are right there with you!  Currently we have 30ish students out for quarantine, and six staff members.  Everyone is having to step us and assume roles that are not normal for us.  For example, I am subbing in a social studies classroom while resuming the duties that I have as a technology coordinator.  Although I am stressed out, I do not feel the "wrath" that teachers are feeling.  Our teachers here are having to do the following:

1. Teach BOTH virtually and online students as they didn't hire distance learning teachers at the high school like they did at the elementary, so at least that stress is OFF the backs of the elementary teachers.

2. Teachers are spending double the time planning for upcoming days - they are having to make videos for upload, are video taping their lessons if students are "gone," and having to plan for subs that might or might not be in place.

3. The material being covered isn't going to be as much as it has been in the past - this is reality!  There is no way that you can check on all your kids in class, check in on your students at home, and then try to keep moving along knowing students may or may not be getting the content being taught.

4. Managing "other" activities is a challenge as well.  Like many smaller districts, we have many teachers that are also advisors or coaches, so this is a challenge, too.  Minnesota JUST reinstated fall sports, with a shorter season and limited spectators (volleyball can have no spectators). Although this is super awesome is the respect of creating some "normal" for the kids, all of this creates a brand new set of anxieties and stress for players and coaches.  Their parents won't be there to "watch" games, and coaches are having to make adjustments and decisions they wouldn't normally have to make because of the guidelines.

5. 8th hours have changed for us.  In normal life, we have a 35 minutes 8th hour where students can go and take tests missed, get additional help if needed, etc.. however, students can not leave the 8th hour homeroom, which prevents them from getting additional help they may need, or meetings that are typically held then can't be now - again an entire new way of trying to make things work!

NOW - let's be read - WE ARE EDUCATORS - and WE WILL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO!  We always do!  It's not easy, it's not convenient, it's stressful and it's frustrating.  BUT WE ARE DOING IT, and SO ARE YOU!!!  I just continue to encourage you!  KNOW that you are rocking it, and will continue to do so because that's what we do!

Take care friends - YOU CAN DO THIS - WE ARE WITH YOU,

Mrs. I:)


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