Mrs. Reaves' Reflection

August 2019 seems like a far off memory, but the memory of the first day of school always lingers.  We all experience the first day jitters and nervous anticipation of meeting all the new happy faces in our classroom.  We deal with the same uncertainties; will I fit in, will my class like me, will the students have an impactful year?  And, of course, my worries fade away as the year goes on and the class comes together, gets into a routine and thrives…Fast forward seven months and those same feelings came rushing back as we tackled a new challenge caused by an unthinkable pandemic.  As we looked at alternatives for minimizing the impact on our students, we decided to enable a new, remote learning platform for our school.  It was the first day of school all over again.  We were uncertain and nervous once again.  Would the children relate, could we keep our sense of community, and would my students continue to learn?  The students and parents were also adjusting to a new reality and had their own concerns.  I could see the apprehension in everyone’s face during our first meeting via Zoom, our chosen remote teaching platform.   But just like before the pandemic, we all kept focus on the tasks at hand with a shared goal to positively impact the lives of our students.  Our commitment to each other is apparent and the kids are learning.  One of their assignments this past week was to share the pros and cons of online learning.  I thought you’d like to hear a few things they shared with me.

• I like to work from home.
• Online math is easier.
• I miss P.E.
• I like our morning Zoom meetings because I get to see my friends and my teachers.
• I miss hot lunch.
• It is hard to have my mom as a teacher.
• I had problems opening Xtra Math and Prodigy, but I figured it out.
• I do miss school!

• Zoom allows me to engage both students and parents at the same time
• There is still structure to our day/routine
• Parents are happily stepping into the role of teacher
• Daily office hours are effective in addressing questions and concerns
• Teachers/Administration have come together to support one another in all areas
• We were able to get to the “new norm” faster and more efficiently than thought

 
This isn’t how any of us would have pictured our spring at St. Theresa’s together but, in spite of our current predicament, our classroom and school continue to be to grow and learn…together.
 
With heartfelt wishes for all,
Mrs. Reaves
First Grade Teacher