As We Become Aware of Ourselves, We Discover Ourselves (104)

The outside world has changed. Our routines, luxuries and adventures have altered. The comfort of the classroom has evaporated. For our students- this shift is physical for sure. But, remember their way of thinking is the same. Mentally they might be exhausted and discombobulated- but they are the same for the most part.

Their quirks are still there. Their sense of humor is still intact. The same learning disabilities, the same behavior issues. It's just now, they fall a lot on their parents to maintain. We must differentiate, they must get them in front of the computer. But, many times they aren't.

I have a lot of MIA students or some who check-in but then do not complete any assignments. This is happening for numerous reasons I am sure. I email, no response. I call, get voice-mail. I am sure they are overloaded and just do not want to deal with school on top of everything else.

There is a shift in understanding going on- amidst a shift in culture.

We do not know as much as we should know about who we are, who our children are when it comes to academics. We see their grades- but not necessarily their work ethic. Now parents are bearing witness.

We need to understand on a deeper level- who we are, what we are and how we differ. We tend to categorize not individualize. With distance learning it is even harder to do so. The work load for many educators has not decreased, but increased. Plus, generally there is a district wide requirement lesson plan.

We have lost our voice, our ability to get creative. We feel boggled down by bureaucracy.

We all are struggling in our own vectors. It is very difficult to keep our thoughts and intentions aligned when we have lost our voice.

Can we truly be efficacious? When our hands are tied and our playing field is boarded up.

I know for me- Week 4 is beginning and I am trying desperately to keep up with 180 students, not being able to see them daily is a struggle. I miss them. Every single one of them.

As we become aware of ourselves- how we think, what we need, how we cope with stress and frustration- we discover ourselves- strategies to tie everything together. How we can keep our curiosity and creativity alive in this virtual world, keep our families safe and on track and how we can maintain our own health and balance.

sigh...

Discovery undergoing, curiosity engaging, balance, well...that is yet to come.