I have been inconsistent with my feelings about Covid-19. At first I was happy to be out of school. On March 13th, the principal called an emergency staff meeting to discuss some issues. I heard rumors earlier that day that we would be taking 2-3 weeks out. I needed a break to catch up on teacher things. This seemed like a good time to get some work done. Plus, our Spring Break was included in that few weeks we were out. By the end of the following week, I was over it. I was very productive, because I thought that when we returned I would be refreshed. I started to think about my students and their families. So I logged into Class Dojo and sent out messages to the families. I gave them my Google Voice number just in case they needed something while we were out. I started to watch the news and the Governor's press conferences. He issued a Stay-at-Home order and even extended it. In the news, I heard about people ignoring the order and the stats rose exponentially. It became very real for me fast.
Covid-19 has really put a damper on this school year. I could not finish out the school year as planned. I always look forward to the end of the school year. I normally reflect about what did not go so well, what I could improve on for the upcoming school year, etc. I pass out end of the year gifts and certificates, and we party. We did not take the state assessment, which I am not sad about, but I believe my students would have blown that test out of the water. In Louisiana grades 3-8 take the LEAP 2025 State Assessment.
We started having classes via Google Classroom and Zoom. I had moments of frustration, because I could not get all my students to logon. I needed them to at least get on Zoom so I could see that they were ok. I almost broke down on our first Zoom meeting. The school year ended a week before the normal year.
For weeks, I was just trying to make it to the next moment. The next day. I am still just trying to make it to the next moment. The governor is opening the state next week, but I think I am going to ease myself into going outside.
I have a plan for my idle hands. I plan to take you all along for the journey. After all this blog is called Journey to the Top with Shanita. I hope you come along for the ride.
1. I am going to clean out my spare room and turn it into a bedroom for my youngest two. I am almost embarrassed to show the room. Eight now it serves as my catchall room. There are things everywhere on the floor. Things are not in their place. I am going to take 2 weeks to get everything in order.
2. Go through my documents I have created for the year, fix them up, and list them on TeachersPayTeachers.
3. Complete some book studies, e-courses, and plan for the upcoming school year. I can only plan for the first two weeks, because our curriculum changed. Plus, my principal moved me to the middle school side. (That blog is coming tomorrow.)
4. Throwing myself into my children's hobbies.
5. Create goals for the summer and the upcoming school year.
