The First Day of School 2020

 

The First Day of School 2020

I walked the halls this morning at 5am, delivering my first day of school teacher notes, and the thought about how different today is than any other start of school hit me like a ton of bricks. It feels like the air has been let out of the building. This is typically the time of day I have butterflies- anticipating the best day of the year. It is the same feeling I get on Christmas morning- sitting, drinking coffee, waiting for kids to wake up excited. Usually I am running around excited, trying to get last minute things done before the quiet halls fill up with giggly sweet voices. Not today. These halls will remain quiet. The building is not open, school is, but the building is not. We in NISD believe that  “Learning is influenced by environment.” I truly believe this! We create inviting intentional spaces for students that cultivate learning; what happens when you cannot use the inviting intentional physical spaces you have created for your kids? You have to create that space digitally.

Teachers have been “punting” for years. Everyday issues arise that we had not expected or planned on happening- no one saw this coming. Even when we finished last year in May, everyone said it is fine, we will be back in August and it will be good. But it is not. We are not good; however, it will be fine. I have watched educators work to create learning experiences for students all summer. We have planned, tested, re-planned, tested, and planned again. We did not “sign up” for virtual teaching, there are teachers that do this- many are amazing at it! Most teachers love teaching for the interaction and relationships they build with students and families. We are huggers, we love deep and forever. Once you are in our heart, you stay. This is more difficult to develop through a computer screen.  This is a new rulebook we are playing by and unfortunately, it is constantly changing. I have never been more proud to be an educator than I am right now. The teachers I am working with are not complaining about their circumstances, they are working to ensure they can meet the needs of their kids virtually. They are not complaining that they are not experts in online tools, they are practicing the tools to make sure they know how to use them with their kids. They are doing what it takes to be the best teacher they can be for each student in their classroom.

There have been remarks made about the opening of schools being “unorganized” and “they have had all summer to make plans.” Please give teachers and educators some Grace, the rules change daily, we test out ideas to see if they will be good for kids, and we have to go with the information we have at that time- also a factor that constantly changes. We are determined to be the BEST we can for our students.

Have we done everything perfect? No. Have we done a few things very well? Yes. Will things change again? Yes. Do I know what the changes will be? No. I know everyone has questions and concerns about school opening and school not opening- that is not what today is about. Today is about the excitement of starting a new school year- regardless of what it looks like. School starts today, teachers have worked more hours than they typically do at this time of year (and that is A LOT) and students are excited to meet their classmates, so parents post those 1^st day of school pictures because today is going to be a great day!

 Amy