In what is shocking news to absolutely nobody, there are many variables, what-ifs, hypotheticals, and general unknowns going into this next school year. Distance Learning? Hybrid? In-person learning? What about sports, activities, etc.? Will I be able to count on all students being able to access content and curriculum? What steps will be followed to ensure my safety and students' safety? Assuming some students and families would choose to learn at home full-time - even with a hybrid system - what are the implications for me as their teacher? How about the steps put in place for when somebody tests positive, which I also assume is basically bound to happen...
Here's the thing: I could sit here and think of and type questions all. Day. Long. To me, that can be instructive and helpful - as it can guide purposeful planning - but it can also be distracting and draining. Because at the end of the day, there are SO MANY things outside of my (read: our) control. So instead, I am choosing to spend most of my energy over these next few weeks planning and thinking about all of the things I can control or influence.
Off the top of my head, here's a quick starter list of what I seek to be purposeful about this fall and beyond, in terms of striving to control:
-Creating, building, and maintaining a classroom environment (both digital and physical) that keeps everyone connected and feeling welcome, encouraged, valued, and sustained.
-Building space for my students to be able to tell their stories -- what they've been going through, how they've been affected by all that's gone on in the world, their individual hopes and dreams, where they want their story to go.
-Supporting my students and help to increase their capacity for critical thinking, purposeful writing, and reading comprehension needed for multiple text and content types.
-Actively and purposefully checking in with students on a regular basis, and also creating a schedule that encourages them to be self-advocates and curious learners.
-Working closely with colleagues to make this the best possible experience for kids while also aiming to be as available to and supporting of my fellow teachers.
Throughout the year, it might be healthy to consistently check in with myself and ask questions like "what's most important right now?," "how does this best serve students?," and "how can we make this better for all kids?"
