It is all over the internet. Parents, teachers and administrators are taking to social media, and the media in general if our local news is any indication, to express their concerns about re-opening schools in the fall while we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. As a parent, I have expressed concerns about what will become of my job if our school district goes full remote learning in the fall. I was met with nothing but vitriol by both parents and teachers. I was kind. I was understanding. I was empathetic. My very best friends from childhood are teachers. Many of best college friends and sorority sisters are teachers. It’s ludicrous to think that I would want anything to happen to them or to any child, so what do we do? I really don’t know. Here’s what I do know: we are spending all this time getting mad at each other on the internet when we should be mad at the society and system that put us in this mess in the first place, making us choose between the health of our children and teachers, and putting food on the table.
Guys, this is insane. We are the richest, most powerful nation in the world. I’m going to come right out and say it….we still have a class system. Already, people who work retail or in restaurants have been deemed expendable, having to head back into work around six weeks ago in some states. Americans’ need to go out to eat, get haircuts and go shopping trumped the health of millions of people and next up to the firing squad are teachers and school staff. White collar workers can continue to work from the comfort and security of their homes for the foreseeable future. People are out, enjoying the summer and refusing to wear masks with no regard to who they come into contact with. As someone going to work five days a week, it’s mildly annoying watching everyone else having such a fabulous summer with very little work responsibilities, but whatever, they made their choices and I guess I made mine.
I have had several great conversations with both teacher friends and other parents. There are a lot of good ideas out there on how to safely have school, but unfortunately, the people who make the decisions have no idea what it’s like to be a teacher OR a working parent. Not that some of them aren’t parents, of course, but they are parents with the capacity to work from home. The best thing I’ve heard is that, for the parents who have the privilege or ability to keep their kids home, should be encouraged to do so. This leaves class size smaller and more manageable. There’s going to be more to it than that, but it’s a start.
No matter what happens, or what each individual school district decides, I implore everyone to just stop being mean. I don’t need to be reminded that I’m “not a teacher” for having an opinion, just like teachers don’t need to be reminded that “essential workers aren’t complaining” for being afraid to be smushed into a tiny classroom filled with thirty germ-ridden children. It’s not helpful to the conversation and doesn’t promote solutions and understanding. Stop being mad at each other. Be mad at the poor leadership that got us here in the first place. Be mad that our country is so greedy that we couldn’t stay in lock down a little longer. Be mad that the richest nation in the world can’t take care of parents who will be forced to give up their jobs to stay home with their children. Yes, I would prefer my kids to go to school this fall as long as it can be done safely for everyone. It would make my life unequivocally easier. But teachers, I see you and I love you. I am on your side and if it’s really not safe by September, I will make adjustments. I’m already trying to plan ahead. Be well, my friends.
Let's Be Dramatic 