In the Event of an Emergency…

Life as we know it has changed significantly and there have been varying responses to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Personally, I varied in my thoughts and feelings about the virus. I didn’t see how it was a big deal and played into my conspiracy theory of coronavirus being used as biological warfare. I now recognize the seriousness of it; however, I won’t allow myself to play into the idea of FEAR.

Yes, you want to be prepared for as many things in life as possible, but reality is that it is impossible to do so. Things will happen beyond our control, but your RESPONSE to the problem matters. I’ve had to limit my social media interactions, time spent watching the news, and even responding to others via text or call because of the overwhelming response to the coronavirus. I became irritated by what I perceived as a lack of common sense and panic. I had to control the content and information that I was receiving because I didn’t like the emotions of anger, irritation, and even anxiety that I was feeling.

During this time, I’ve been concerned about my students, their parents, and those who need employment, wages, and provisions. I thought about the kids who may be stuck at home with abusive family members or in need of food. A few of my students have reached out to me and are concerned about their grades and assignments. How will the education system function now that Virginia schools are closed for the duration of the school year? Some educators are beginning the process of distance learning, but what does that look like for the unmotivated child? How will students who receive special education accommodations be able to complete assignments via distance learning? What about students who receive speech, physical, and occupational therapy? Will students not be able to participate in a traditional graduation ceremony?

These questions will not be answered any time soon, nor will the solution be a one size fits all. As a nation, we are not prepared for a pandemic of this magnitude and it will not be the last. That doesn’t mean to start panicking, but there are methods that should be considered, especially within education. If districts build inclement weather into a school calendar, there should also be a contingency plan for absences due to any unforeseen circumstance. There are a variety of areas that could be addressed, but some that should be included are: providing meals, e-learning for students of varying abilities, and mental health services.

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- School cafeteria employees are still providing meals according to the federally funded National Breakfast and Lunch program. However, students across the nation should not have to concern themselves with how they will get to the meals that are being provided, it should be brought to them. I admire the plan that my district has established to do this. Meals are being delivered to students using their traditional bus routes.

- There are plenty of online programs for K-5 students, but not as many for middle and high school students. I can tell my students to read and annotate a text, but there aren’t many sites that provide the direct and guided learning to perform this task. Furthermore, teachers should have been trained to provide distance learning prior to this state of emergency.

- Students are still in need of their counselors and therapists. A method to reach out to students needs to be established. Whether it be phone calls, emails, or an application, there are students who need additional mental health support on a consistent basis.

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This time off from my career does not come without concern and angst. I see the bigger picture and the potential impact; although I’m aware I can’t fix everything, it is in my nature to care. I don’t see this as an extended vacation and there have been a few times where I must sit, meditate, and focus on what is in my control. To my fellow educators and all who are impacted, this too shall pass. Maintain sympathy and compassion for others, be considerate and supportive of each other, and demonstrate your love and attention to family and friends.