Our COVID-19 Story, so far

We all have our stories of how this virus has impacted our lives. This is mine.

Wednesday, March 11

We received word that the topic of our weekly faculty meeting would be changing. Instead of our usual study, we would be holding a training session on how to use Zoom.

We had all been crossing our fingers that we could remain open through March 20 — the beginning of our spring break — but this was the first indication that this wasn’t likely. My class was scheduled to perform our class play on March 19 — in the evening for parents only, because assemblies and larger school gatherings had already been canceled. I started thinking about how we could possibly perform, at least twice (oh why had I double-cast?) on Friday.

Thursday, March 12

I met briefly with parents after school to pull together costumes for the play and then went to our faculty meeting where I learned that Friday would be our last day. We would close and provide distance learning options the week before spring break, have our break as planned, and then continue with distance learning the week after the break.

We had a Zoom training session and then teachers got frantically busy putting together packets. The copy machines were working overtime!

I decided to devote main lesson to performing our play twice, back-to-back, for any parents who could attend. I heard that the school communication would not be going out until later in the evening, so I sent out a somewhat cryptic invitation to attend our “unexpected opportunity” to perform our play during main lesson — “I hope you’ll make every effort to attend.” After just a couple of questioning emails, the school communication went out.

I stayed at school until 8pm putting together a packet to send home on Friday. I sent another email inviting parents to come to pick-up early so I could go through the packet and give some “home lessons” instructions.

All of the teachers at my school, including the subject teachers, scrambled to put together home learning packets and materials for students. It was an inspiration to behold.

Friday, March 13

We started our day as usual and at 8:30 we started costuming students so we could perform. At 9am we walked into the performance space, singing a beautiful Hebrew song called Hine Ma Tov, and greeted our small audience of parents and teachers. The students did a beautiful job and as soon as it was over, the lead parts quickly switched and we began again.

We performed the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and I was moved to tears as I contemplated the strength and unity that the Hebrew people gained as a result of that hardship. It was quite a lesson for us all that morning.

Once the performance was over, our school day continued as usual, including a big wool dyeing project that we’d had planned for the afternoon. It was a whirlwind of activity!

Then, at 2:45, the parents came into the classroom and I started going through the “home lesson” packet I had put together. I am telling you, it was something to have our entire class community in that room. The children were overflowing with enthusiasm for their home lessons and the parents were busy taking notes. I gave them a parent packet with a suggested daily rhythm and the answers to the math problems.

After the introduction there was a flurry of activity as parents and children gathered supplies, put them in their school bag, cleaned out their cubbies and said goodbye. There were tears and hugs (yes, we hugged) and an enormous amount of appreciation — for me and each other.

To say I feel privileged to be a part of this community doesn’t even begin to explain the depth of my gratitude. These people bring out my best and it is through these children that I make my mark on the world. What a gift! And it is moments like this that bring that realization so clearly.

What now?

Since Wednesday, every night I’ve been waking up at 3am, unable to fall back to sleep.

My mind has been reeling with thoughts about my family — my brother-in-law still away from home on a work trip, my daughter still at college two hours away, my youngest who is crossing his fingers that he’ll be able to take IB exams and have a high school graduation ceremony.

I’ve been thinking about the people I know who are in the at-risk population and hoping that this “social distancing” will help protect them.

But mostly, if I’m honest, I’ve been waking up thinking about my lessons. I know it’s crazy to be so preoccupied with my lessons when there is so much going on, but this virus has turned my everyday teaching life upside down. Now that I’m learning new methods of delivery and supporting parents with providing their children with some semblance of a normal routine, I feel like a brand new teacher again.

Back in my brand-new-teacher days, everyday life was constantly interrupted with thoughts and inspirations about my students and their lessons. Sometimes it felt like a burden, to constantly have thoughts of my classroom and students on the forefront of my mind (like at 3am!). But mostly it was lovely. Blessed inspiration seemed to be everywhere I turned.

These “social distancing” COVID-19 days feel similar in many ways. I’m home, with my dog (who can’t figure out why I haven’t left yet) and once again, inspiration is everywhere. The ideas are flowing and I’m excited to act on them!

• I could set up Google Classroom!
• Maybe I could record myself telling the story and send it to the parents.
• Will the students be able to write the composition for today without my help?
• How can I check in on their reading progress? Maybe we could schedule phone calls?
• Are there enough remaining main lesson pages in the books I sent home?
• Should I change my block rotation so that the parents have something simpler to teach after spring break?

I’ve also been receiving the loveliest texts and photos from appreciative parents who are doing amazing things with their kids.

I’m so grateful to the parents who are continuing this work and sending me these little glimpses of success.

But I’m also thinking about the families I haven’t heard from. The single moms who are figuring it out on their own. The parents who are still working — bringing kids to work with them, hoping they’ll entertain themselves quietly — to say nothing of completing a composition. I wish I could have those kids over to my house and have our own little lesson at my dining room table. Somehow the abstract conversations our school has been having about diversity, equity and inclusion feel all too real. What are the moral implications of delivering lessons that only some of my students can access?

Teacher Collaboration

At the same time that my thoughts are so much on my students, their parents and their work, I’m also thinking about all of the other teachers out there who are figuring this out.

My colleagues and I had a lower grades section meeting via Zoom and we all talked about our various comfort levels with using technology to teach our students at this unprecedented time. It’s so inspiring that we’re all feeling so open to finding new tools for teaching. But the learning curve is steep!

I’ve also been hearing from so many teachers and parents who read this blog.

• Parents have offered to pay me to provide them with daily lesson plans or practice packets.
• Teachers are asking for suggestions on what to send their students.
• Many teachers and parents are purchasing my curriculum guides. Though they’re not “open and go” for students, they give a good amount of guidance. (I’m also offering a 50% discount through the end of March with the coupon code HOMELESSONS.)

It’s truly remarkable how collaborative this effort feels, even though we’re all safely “social distancing” from each other.

If you’re a teacher or parent looking for help and insight on how to provide your students with worthwhile experiences during this time, reach out! If you haven’t joined the [Facebook group], now is the time. There are a lot of ideas being shared there and it will help you connect with others in the same boat.

I’m here for you and would love to hear your ideas about how I can help. Just email me at meredith@awaldorfjourney.com.

What is your COVID-19 story? Share in the comments.