Lifelines

I had to teach from home today, due to a positive case in one of my classes. The setback was disappointing, but I was well-supported. A few minutes after my first class began and I explained to my students why I was back in my living room, I got a text in the Teams chat from one of our AP’s, kindly letting me know she was monitoring my in-person kids. I couldn’t have asked for a kinder and more upbeat person to make these kids feel comfortable on their second visit to my classroom.

The first class I teach on Wednesdays and Fridays is my easiest; it’s my smallest, and nobody’s needs are much beyond those of a typical sixth grader. The next class, however, is a different story. This is my biggest and has a higher number of kids who are easily distracted and in need of frequent one-on-one attention.

I was relieved when my AP told me the assistant I had worked with for two years would be in my room the rest of the day. As kids’ faces and bubbles began to pop up on my screen, peppering me with questions about why I wasn’t in my classroom, I noticed that the ones in school, two of whom are usually the very last to type a greeting in the chat, were the first this time. Mr. T. was on it. Later in TA, he cheerfully chimed in when our discussion lulled. I had really missed that this year.

What I thought would be a bit of a lonely day turned out to be the opposite. My kids were engaged, and I had two adults I enjoy working with me.

I’ll be back in school tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to seeing kids in person, but I’ll miss the adults.