Back to School in Uncertain Times

As schools begin to re-open, whether in person or via some form of elearning, my heart aches for all the teachers who are doing their best to put on a brave face and be there for their peers, their schools, their communities and their students.

Being married to a teacher and having a 10-year-old in public school, I feel the uncertainty of it from all sides. I am lucky enough to be working from home and am thankful to be able to opt my son into elearning. And while I wish I could opt my husband with asthma into eteaching, it's not an option.

I sat at the dining room table with my husband last night and was near tears after watching some video welcomes from my son's school. And while they are doing an amazing job and putting on the bravest faces, the uncertainty in their voices was palpable.

I was near tears because I want to DO something to support these teachers. I want them to know that I appreciate what they do every single day of a normal school year, and I feel that appreciation tenfold as they walk into something they never signed up for and that will require a heroic effort, which I know they will be carrying with their supplies on day 1.

Part of the reason we chose elearning was to help teachers by dedensifying the school and allowing families that need to send their kids back to be able to do so in a safer environment for everyone. And while I wish no students or teachers would have to go back into the buildings, I understand why some of them have to.

It just an impossible situation.

All we can do is reach out. Email or call the teachers you know and let them know you're thinking about them. Ask them if there's anything you can do to support them. Offering a kind word might mean more to them than you realize.

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