This was my classroom set-up in January 2021 for my in-person students.
Within a day, we transformed a tiny space in our homes to call it our classroom.
Our virtual backgrounds became our fantasies.
Our kids became virtual avatars. We became our Bitmojis!
We forced ourselves into a cyber reality and in a matter of 24 hours,
we became technicians, counselors, cheerleaders, and virtual operators.
We learned to position a camera, troubleshoot audio, cast videos on a screen,
and become YouTubers!
We experienced "Googlification" and became Google-Classroom experts.
(Umm, it took the creators years to understand it. How long did it take you?)
No one told us ‘how’ to teach virtually, go into breakout rooms, or share a screen.
We just had to do it.
Trial and error became our way of life.
We experienced a different side of empathy while protecting our kids & parents
as they let us into their personal space on the screen.
We also experienced reluctance, anger, and sadness just because we had to keep it together during teaching...while doing our breathing exercises, drinking lemon tea with honey, consoling ourselves because we lost loved ones to Covid.
We had to risk our lives and depend on a mask to keep us safe.
We felt paranoid but managed to keep a smile because we didn't want our kids to worry.
We had to teach “two” classrooms simultaneously--virtual vs. reality. Who does that? We do!
We planned lessons on Google Classroom. We planned lessons on Genesis.
We created slides, presentations, visuals, AND our own curriculum!
We trained ourselves to learn EVERY learning app and program to integrate into our teaching whether or not it worked.
More than anything, we survived because we sacrificed, adapted, understood, worked our booties off (or on! haha), and put our children and parents first.
And today...if you are a teacher, you might be thinking about your students, parents, and classroom despite all you have been through. You might even feel a little anxious about the upcoming challenges of a full-day schedule. Even though you are on vacation and enjoying your time away from the classroom, you are probably wondering how in the world will you go back, right? The good news is that you are not alone and this upcoming year, you won't be either!
So, HOW will we go back when it feels like just yesterday, we were running out of our classrooms on the last day of school? As far as your mind may be, the reality is that in just a few weeks, you will need to think about your transition back to school.
Well, here are some ideas that may help in getting your mind ready for the new school year:
1. BE MINDFUL~Be mindful of how education was in the past year and the variability of your students' experience during the pandemic. This could mean that some may not be equipped with beginning-of-the-year benchmark skills. Some may have limited social experiences. Some may have experienced major life changes last year so the transition may be difficult. It might be helpful to look at the end-of-year benchmarks for the previous year so you could make sure you cover those skills missed. Most importantly, you will observe your students with a flexible, open, and understanding mind.
2. BE SIMPLE~Simplify your thinking and don’t think of everything to do at once. Your students will feel overwhelmed if you are overwhelmed. You can produce simple but meaningful lessons to ease your students into your classroom. Before school begins, make a feasible list of what you need to do or teach each day for the first week of school. This will diminish your anxieties about what needs to be done that week, help you focus on the 'simple,' and structure your thinking to eliminate the clutter in your mind.
3. BE POSITIVE~It is easy to complain and feel discouraged coming out of the kind of year we just had. Before thinking you cannot be motivated to begin the school year, instill confidence and positivity by thinking that you can! You can create this positive mindset by thinking about your strengths and reminding yourself that that is what you are there for! Offer fresh and new ideas for yourself rather than what you have done in the past on the first week of school. New ideas will boost your positivity and outlook on starting your new school year! Head over to my Pinterest to expand your ideas! https://www.pinterest.com/kimscreationz
4. STAY ORGANIZED~There isn't a better time than the beginning of the year to feel a new sense of motivation to organize your classroom. This year, I will continue with my minimalistic approach to designing my classroom. This reduces my beginning-of-the-year stresses and helps me to focus on keeping my classroom environment simple, but conducive to learning.
Although a 'print-enriched' classroom always seems ideal, you do not want so much on your walls that your students will come into the first week feeling distracted and overwhelmed. Remember, feeling that we need to 'decorate' our classrooms will make a harder transition into the new school year. Keep it simple! (Just my opinion!)
I hope you will utilize some of my ideas to ease you into the new school year.
Feel free to share your ideas, too! You can follow me @_teachermomlife_ and add the hashtag #howwillwegoback on your IG post to share your ideas!
Good luck & we will be in touch! xo