The new temporary

Four weeks ago today, the way our students learn and the way our staff teaches and the way our principals "principal" and the ways our families learned with their children changed in lil' 'ol Merton, Wisconsin.  Our schools were closed, abruptly and with good reason.  The teachers and staff didn't have a chance to say goodbye.  It was a quick end, like pulling off a band-aid.  Now we could have immediately gone into a feeling of despair, but that's not what these Merton Mustangs did.  Quickly, on Tuesday, March 17th, the staff came together, separated by at least 6 feet in the gym, to create and discuss a plan to begin the learning in a different way and to continue to build upon our relationships with our students, our families, and one another.

I go to school with the most amazing students and staff every day.  We are still going to school every day, it just looks quite a bit different.  Teachers are creating video lessons, students are completing assignments online and on paper, and teachers are providing feedback.  Our teachers and instructional assistants are connecting with students and families through emails, text messages, phone calls, and video calls.  Although there is a lot of focus on technology, we're also encouraging breaks to take a walk outside, time to read a real book (not an "online" book), time to connect in person with your family and those who share your house, time for creation.  Here is what I hope will continue after this new temporary.

• We will continue to share our successes and struggles with our colleagues as openly as we are doing in this new temporary.
• We will continue to try new ways to share content.
• We will continue to try new ways to connect with our families while still connecting using the old ways.
• We will continue to survey our families to get honest feedback and then follow up with families to find out how we can be better.
• We will continue to provide video lessons.
• We will continue to remember that every family looks different and has their own successes and struggles.
• We will continue to remember to make time for our own families and friends even if we can't be in the same space.
• We will continue to find ways to turn off the technology and enjoy a walk or silence or nature.

Here are my personal goals from the list above.

• I will continue to  make time to connect with our staff and students to share successes and struggles.
• I will continue to make as many phone calls as I have been over the last few weeks.
• Although I have a face for radio, I feel more comfortable with every new video I create and I will continue to create videos for our students, staff, and families.
• I will continue to reach out to families by phone or video calls to find out how they are doing and how I can support them.
• I will continue to start my day with silent reading for at least 30 minutes with a technology shut down at 9PM on weekdays and earlier on weekends.

After all of this, I have one hope beyond all others.  That hope is this-

All educators will not be taken for granted any more.  They will be respected and honored and revered as people who always put our students first.  They will be seen as advocates and cheerleaders and coaches for our students.  They will be seen as people who are concerned about the success of our students and that success is not a grade on a report card.  Students are successful when they are kind to others and themselves, want to give back, and find a passion that makes the world just a little better.

I wonder if I would have felt the same four weeks ago.  I'm pretty sure that I did, but now it just feels like the right time to share.  And educators, especially Merton educators, if no one has told you lately, thank you!