This is my teacher, and I have 66 others just like her.
What you see is an educator engaged with a screen full of students on the other side. But what you can’t see is that she’s juggling THREE computers, an extra keyboard, and a document camera (think of it as a high-tech overhead projector for those who haven’t stepped into a classroom in a while).
Today, I’m observing a 45-minute lesson in her empty classroom. She’s continuously reminding students to keep their cameras on and to mute themselves so everyone can listen. She’s encouraging parents not to answer for their kids and is asking thought-provoking questions that connect with EVERY. SINGLE. STUDENT.
They often mispronounce her name, yet she responds with warmth and smiles. You can FEEL her passion in her voice, and her patience shines through as she teaches similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeia. Her content is SPOT ON, and she delivers it with such grace. She’s not just meeting my expectations (which, if you know me, is no small feat).
Surrounded by at least 10 resource books, she’s been at school for over an hour, yet her lunch and purse remain untouched on a nearby counter.
Every single child is engaged. Every single one.
She didn’t receive formal training for this. There’s no degree or course for “pandemic teaching.” There’s no preparation time before she starts, and there certainly aren’t any extra days to get ready.
She doesn’t receive “overtime” pay and hears daily that “other duties as assigned” now define her work routine. She’s been teaching in-person classes to cover for absent substitutes while still being present for her virtual students throughout the day. How does she manage it all? I have NO idea, but she and her team make it work.
This has been going on for six weeks, and in three more, students will choose between virtual or in-person classes again, forcing her to start her routines anew as if it’s a fresh school year.
So, if you ever doubt the dedication of teachers, remember this post. They’re not just checking boxes; they’re showing up for themselves, each other, and their students. They carry a MASSIVE burden that most people will never fully understand.
If you know a teacher, make sure to uplift them every single day— they truly need it.
And to my fellow educators, I couldn’t be prouder of each of you! You make my heart swell, and I SEE you.
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