“Give us a minute.
“I
spent today removing my personal belongings from my classroom. I’m not alone.
This is being required in many districts right now. Chairs. Pillows. Lamps. Bookcases.
Books. Nothing but desks and chairs remained. I left my empty classroom and
cried all the way home.
“Give us a minute.
“Before
you say that parents need to be able to work. That parents need a plan. That
parents aren’t teachers. Remember. Most parents aren’t teachers, but most
teachers ARE parents. We want what’s best for your kids and OUR kids, too. We
are in this together.
“Give us a minute.
“Before
you spew your negative personal experience with virtual learning from the
spring. Think. Do you have any idea how hard we worked to make it the best it
could possibly be? Do you have any idea how it feels to read your words?
“Give us a minute.
“Before
you rattle off your ideas about what will work in the fall. Understand. For
every idea you have, we know a student and a family who needs something
different. What works well in your house for your children is not necessarily
the solution for all.
“Give us a minute.
“Teachers
are not supposed to be working right now. But we are. Tirelessly. As always. There
has never been a time before when we weren’t ready to make it okay. We use nights
and weekends away from our families to make sure your children feel supported.
“We
go to sporting events and plays. We buy girl scout cookies and boy scout
wreaths. We buy supplies. We buy food. We visit homes. And hospitals. We
prepare for gunmen. We do whatever it takes. Every single time.
“But
right now, we’re scared. We are scared to death. We are not sleeping. We are
sick with worry. We want to do what is right for our kids, and yours, because
we consider them ours, too.
“Give us a minute.
“Please."
Sera
Deo is a 4th grade teacher in Averill Park, NY. She lives with her husband Rich
and their two children, Ryan, 20, and Emma, 15. The photograph is by Sera Deo.
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