One Month and Counting
I am a high school math teacher who works at a relatively small school in rural Alaska. I spent the 4th quarter of the last school year trying to teach via a virtual /distance learning setup. It was a challenge and went as well as expected.
I have about one month before school is due to start and I have no idea what it will look like. I know the school district had wanted to have three plans ranging from everyone in school to continuing virtual/distance learning but I have no idea what it will look like. I also know I’m not the only one who wants to know.
It is hard in this time of uncertainty to plan for the new school year when you don’t know what it will look like. It is frustrating hearing Trump and his Secretary of Education stating we must fully open again in the midst of climbing numbers. I know many teachers are not sure about being in the classroom due to the possibility of being exposed to the virus.
Although scientists believe school age children are more likely to suffer only mild cases, there is evidence that they can end up with lasting problems if they get infected. We also don’t know how likely they are to be super spreaders.
Furthermore, I don’t have the room to make it so all students are spaced 6 feet apart. It just isn’t physically possible. I don’t think I can make them wear masks all day, nor do I think I can make them clean hands as often as they should. I’ve heard people talk about putting students in pods but that won’t work in the high school because I am not certified to teach English, history, or other classes.
I think many of the issues of reopening schools fully come out of the uncertainty of the virus, the rising numbers, and a lack of leadership who say it is up to the governors while turning around and contradicting that by ordering states to do something.
If my school does have in person classes, I will go in to teach as long as I am allowed to wear my mask, can clean hands multiple times a day and have the choice of working with a student who may refuse to wear a mask. I know social distancing is difficult with students so I’ll try but you can’t find a mistake with student work if you can’t get close enough to point it out to them.
I have a month to figure out the social distancing thing in class but I still have the concern that I might be exposed and bring it home with me. I have at least one person who is over 65 with at least two underlying issues which makes him more susceptible to catching the virus.
I admit that the place I teach at is doing all they can to keep the virus out. They require a 2 week quarantine or testing with a seven day quarantine if you leave the village and so far, there have been no reported cases but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way forever.
In a sense, being an essential worker (yes teachers are considered essential workers) means you go to work everyday and pray you are not exposed and become sick. I am shooting the dice by being willing to go back but I won’t know the odds until the district communicates the plan. Then I’ll have a better idea of the future.
I also admit that if I taught in a place where the sick filled hospitals to overflowing, I would think twice about going back to work. I’d worry about being exposed and I’d be willing to loose my license to preserve my health. There are times when it is important to put one’s self first to stay healthy and alive. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.
