The Pandemic Is a Portal and The Value of a Teacher's Life (original) (raw)

This collection of reflections expresses the profound need for self-care while teaching in these dark times. These are teachers struggling to stay healthy, wondering if teaching is sustainable, struggling to meet their students' needs, and learning to teach in new ways. The title, "The Value of a Teacher's Life," comes from a poem Maureen included in her reflection about the hard work teachers were called to do because of understaffing at her school and her own health fears. Wendy demonstrates the creativity of teachers by sharing details on her teaching challenges and also the insights that led her to start a mindfulness class at this time. Jaxon talks about his own personal struggles, helping him have more empathy for his students. Larry shares his dedication to his students by upping his personal care routines. Joel shares his story of planning to leave teaching before COVID-19 and being overcome by the "stunning reality of his student's lives" that he learned about during the crisis, which kept him in teaching. Glen weaves his teaching philosophy into the pivots he made during COVID-19. Kyndra reminds us to let students know we care, and Carmen tells her personal story of taking better care of herself. Their personal stories show their deep understanding of their need to, as one teacher says, "put my oxygen mask on first." These are teachers concerned about their life chances if they are forced to teach face-to-face, all the while talking about their fear of opening up to new ways of being in relationships with students and talking about small wins and personal achievements. Let's listen in.