As the heartbreaking pandemic wears on and new restrictions are added, subtracted, and resurrected, give a listen to those who know well the cost of closures to students, their parents, and teachers:
- “The United States has extracted an enormous sacrifice from its youngest citizens to protect the health of its oldest. Even though relatively few children are experiencing the medical consequences of COVID-19, they are bearing the burden of… its ancillary effects.” ~ Dimitri Christakis, pediatrician, Seattle Hospital Center for Child, Health, Behavior and Development
- “This just isn’t plausible anymore. It’s not fair to the kids whom I am afraid aren’t getting an adequate education. Something needs to change. It is not working, and our kids are the sacrifices.” ~ Jennifer Dale, mother three children, one of whom with Down Syndrome
- “Providing an equal education to kids learning in person and to those learning at home is undoubtedly difficult, if not impossible. School officials say they just don’t have the means to do both well without more funding and more teachers. Districts are contending with staffing shortages, technological challenges, and scheduling headaches. Too often, it’s the remote students who are asked to make do with less and, in some cases, learn and complete lessons almost entirely on their own. In others, remote students are placed with in-person learners in classes that have ballooned up to 60 students and must fight for face-to-face time with teachers who are overworked and overwhelmed.” ~ Bracey Harris & Caroline Preston, The Hechinger Report
- “Being a hybrid teacher is exhausting, and I do often wish I could teach just one way or the other. But watching so many of my students thrive because they can be back in person makes up for a lot of that exhaustion. Like everyone else, I cannot wait for all my students to be back in my room, mask-free, heads buried together in meaningful group work. Until then, I’m going to teach my best and do what I can to keep us all safe.” ~ Mary M. McConnaha, 7th grade English teacher
- “After all, teaching looks a lot different than it did before the pandemic. Education Week survey data show that teacher morale has declined. Teachers say they are exhausted and overwhelmed trying to juggle remote teaching, socially distanced classrooms, or a combination of the two. ‘What will happen after the pandemic? Once we’re vaccinated, will everything return to something that we care about, and… feel that we can be successful at? I don’t think the answer is there.” ~ Susan Moore Johnson, Harvard professor of education
With hopes, Hanukkah and Christmas wishes, Carol