I have written a lot here over the past several months about how this pandemic has affected our children and, in particular, their learning. As fall approaches, I hope to help parents figure out whether their district is taking enough precautions and how to decide whether to send their children back to school in person (if they have a choice). We’ve talked about learning co-ops and creating work spaces at home; I predicted that schools will close again and have written about how parents can talk to their kids about all of this.
So when it came time to plan out content for this year’s Back to School Week (well, this year we’re calling it Back-ish to School), I had to ask myself: Where do I start? What don’t parents yet know that is important to consider as we enter probably the strangest school year any of us have ever experienced? And then I thought, why don’t I ask our teachers? Who better to guide us and offer us wisdom and advice than those who are on the frontlines of our kids’ education?
I went to the Offspring Facebook Group and asked the teachers among us: If you could speak (candidly) to parents right now, what would you want them to know, understand, or consider as the school year begins? Here’s what they said.
Molly, a high school teacher and a parent of twin preschoolers
First, that remote education is really hard! I’m having to completely redo curriculum for all four of the courses I teach so that I can deliver content online. This is no walk in the park on the teaching end—it takes a LOT of planning, learning new tools, and figuring out the best way to deliver content to students of different abilities.
Second, I would want parents to know that we’re all going to be figuring out what works and what doesn’t together. I’m going to be soliciting and relying on student feedback as to which strategies I’m using are working for them and which ones need to be tweaked or abandoned.
Third, I would want parents to know that their children should absolutely ask their teachers for help if and when they need it. The school where I teach is setting aside dedicated office hours and intervention periods where students can get one-on-one help, and while I plan on setting up appointments with students who I can see are struggling, students will need to be proactive about setting up meeting times as well. However, at the same time, I’d want parents and students to remember that many teachers have children, too, and that we might not be available to answer questions immediately during non-school hours. I will probably check my e-mail in the evenings after my kids go to sleep, but between the end of the school day and then, students most likely won’t get an immediate response to a question if they e-mail.
Finally, I would want both students and parents to remember that school won’t be this way forever. It sucks right now—for everyone—but we’re all doing the best we can to stay safe and healthy, and the more we’re able to do that, the faster we can actually get back to in-person learning for everyone.
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Sara, a high school teacher and a parent of a third-grader and preschooler
One thing I’ve noticed on both the parent and the teacher side is that the student needs to be the primary communicator.
There’s nothing wrong with checking up or checking in, because sometimes kids need to be checked on. But we need to make sure we’re giving them communication tools, teaching them to use them, and then expecting them to use them.
I want my third grader to feel comfortable emailing her teacher with a question on her own and I want my students to do the same.
Jordan, a school counselor for grades 6-8
I’d like everyone to remember that this is a very fluid time, and it’s really important to know that what happens the first few days (or maybe even the first few weeks) of school are not representative of our entire year. Attendance can be rectified if there are connectivity problems with remote login, assignments can be modified if a student needs more support. Communicating with teachers and other school staff is KEY. We are working hard to help hundreds, sometimes thousands, of students and families and we unfortunately cannot foresee all problems.
If your student is having an issue, ANY ISSUE, small or large, please communicate that to their teachers, counselors, or administrators. We desperately want to help all our students succeed this year, all we ask is that everyone remember that we’re all in this together and your school staff is trying their very hardest.
David, a music teacher and a parent of an 8-year-old and 10-year-old
I’m doing everything 100% online because to do anything else would be irresponsible. I’ve been gently trying to explain to parents that we all wish things could be normal. But they aren’t and can’t for a while. I’ve tried to make things as positive as I can and help be a support for students and parents alike. We’re all tired. But giving up now means all the work we’ve done to this point is a waste.
We have to be strong for each other. Check in with your kids. Check in with yourself. Give yourself permission to be angry, crying, sad, confused, or any other feeling you feel. Give your kids the same permission, no matter how hard it is to watch. They are going through the same fresh hell we are, with less life experience and understanding. They will succeed and fail in equal measure. All we can do is support.
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