What I hope this time brings

Remote learning is a new concept for me. I have been a teacher in Australia for 20 years. While I was aware of some of the tools and strategies used by other countries I know find myself thrust rapidly into exploring the concept. There is a huge wave of panic that students will fall behind and it will do lifelong damage missing this much school. I disagree. I hope it’s the opposite. Some kids really lack life skills and the time to be kids and just play. They seemed to have missed a stage where imagination and creativity ruled and boredom inspired you, not hindered you. In a wave on instant gratification, this pause in society may allow kids the time to learn to slow down. I always try to find a silver lining in a situation. Something to be grateful for. This situation is a little trickier as it has happened so quickly. However, most of society is learning to adapt so quickly. Here are a few things that I hope come from all of this for our students:  

Time and attention: some students may have access to their families that they have never had. They may get to spend some time with some family members they never hardly see on a regular basis. Even if it is an extra few minutes a day, I pray some students have time to see people that they love a little more often. It may be more FaceTime calls but at least someone will be touching base with some of our kids.  

connection: with all of the uncertainty, I pray that some families can find time to connect. To find a new passion, to find shared interests, to have some fun that they normally would not have time to do. This may be a break for some kids who are over scheduled. They may get the connection with people that they crave.  

play and imagination: one thing that I would love to see more of is boredom. Kids being so bored that they have to wake up their imagination and creativity. I was spoilt growing up. I wasn’t on a device or connected to a screen. If I was bored, I played with my family and created something. A game, a fort or a new invention. I hope that our students find joy in creating something exciting and new.  

rest: life for students is often fast paced and full of activities. Like adults, they need times to heal and rest. This may be a good opportunity to give some kids the self care they need.  

Time to learn life skills: learning takes many shapes and forms. Sometimes life skills such as paying bills, cooking, cleaning etc are lost. These skills are vital for students to learn just as much as set curriculum, if not more. Maybe at this time, life skills can be a bigger focus for a while. Students will certainly not suffer for it.  

Gratitude: people take so much for granted. They miss what they have and often focus on what is lacking. Gratitude is so important to me. Stopping to make sure that I don’t take what I have for granted. Life has changed at the moment and we just don’t know what will happen moving forward. What I find is that things I took for granted are now some of the things I miss. During this time of pause, I hope that our students appreciate all their families do and sacrifice for them. I hope they learn to appreciate what they have and be grateful for some of the opportunities that they have. Even if they can find one thing or silver lining for themselves.  

Not all kids will be in a pleasant situation. I am sure many teachers have sleepless nights knowing that their students will spend months in abusive, unhealthy or dangerous situations. Situations that may involve domestic violence or drugs. It makes my stomach churn some nights thinking what some children will have to endure during this situation. In an ideal world, the above would happen and I pray that for many students it does. I hope in these crazy times, that you can too try to find some silver lining.