Students have missed eleven school days. Many of them have likely been at home for 15. This is a major change for all students and teachers, and we deal with major changes in stages. It took me awhile to identify my main emotion during this school closure as grief. My friend Caroline sent me this article about how some of the discomfort we are feeling could be grief, and I immediately made the connection. I am certainly feeling the loss of my routine, the loss of my classroom, and the loss of our shared class community. I’m also feeling anxiety, anticipation, and worry. When I lay down for the night I have to practice deep breathing in order to fall into a restless sleep some nights. Other nights, I feel emotionally exhausted by 8pm and fall immediately to sleep. I am worried about my students, their loss of routine, and how that loss will manifest in each of them differently.
If you are a parent of an elementary student, try to make contact with your child’s teacher. We are thinking about our students and we want to support you and guide them in distance learning.
It’s important to mention that I recognize my privilege here. I have the privilege of worrying about my wellness and the wellness of my students, and not about survival or paying rent. I know that learning and maintaining a home structure cannot come before our basic needs are met. That said, Bridgeport schools are serving three meals a day, between 9am and 1pm, at 20 locations. Find more information here.
Teaching, Leading & Learning 