I went back to work today. It doesn't even feel like I stopped working for the past two weeks because I've been writing about so may work-related topics. I also have continued working by sending virtual "check ins" to my students. Not all of them can access these due to limited computer access, but it is nice to hear from those that can access these forms. Nonetheless, the past two weeks really haven't felt like "time off."
My first back to work agenda item was to attend a virtual Zoom meeting with our school administration and my coworkers. It was nice to see everyone's faces! It was clear that we don't quite feel comfortable with this format yet, and everyone had some adjusting to do.
Next, we learned that we'd have to contact all of our families - we split up the students, and I ended up talking to 20 families over the course of 2 hours. It was nice to talk to people on the outside, but it was very tiring. It kind of felt like conferences - just the pace of talking and getting to the next thing. It was really a lot, but I felt like I acquired the necessary information I was asked to acquire.
And, here, I thought I might get a nap. No such luck. But, technically I'm still on the clock, and I can always find something to do.
This blog is an excellent example of how much mental energy I expend when I'm working. I don't have enough brain power to do my actual job, and then come up with something clever to write. I'm spent. Totally spent.
Back to the grind tomorrow...
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
March 30, 2020: Day 15 - Marco Polo
**Shameless Plug**
There's an app called Marco Polo. It's like Snapchat for old people. And, it's incredible. It's basically sustaining most of my days at this point. I am able to stay in contact with friends from all over the country through this silly face chatting app. I highly recommend everyone give it a try. I'm forever grateful to my friends that got me on it!
Here's what I've learned so far on Marco Polo:
1. It's really awkward getting used to looking at yourself talking.
2. It's really awkward getting used to hearing your own voice repeated back to you.
3. There are no angles/lighting in which you will look good on Marco Polo.
All of this is to say that it's incredible exposure therapy for getting comfortable with yourself. It's comforting to know that the people you're Marco Polo-ing with expect a response from you, so you'd better get over yourself and hit them back with your message. They'll love you no matter what - and that is a welcome confidence boost, especially when I haven't showered, my hair's a mess, and I haven't been out of pajama pants for three days straight.
Download Marco Polo and talk to all of your Earth-angel friends today! You might regret it - but it will be worth it! :)
There's an app called Marco Polo. It's like Snapchat for old people. And, it's incredible. It's basically sustaining most of my days at this point. I am able to stay in contact with friends from all over the country through this silly face chatting app. I highly recommend everyone give it a try. I'm forever grateful to my friends that got me on it!
Here's what I've learned so far on Marco Polo:
1. It's really awkward getting used to looking at yourself talking.
2. It's really awkward getting used to hearing your own voice repeated back to you.
3. There are no angles/lighting in which you will look good on Marco Polo.
All of this is to say that it's incredible exposure therapy for getting comfortable with yourself. It's comforting to know that the people you're Marco Polo-ing with expect a response from you, so you'd better get over yourself and hit them back with your message. They'll love you no matter what - and that is a welcome confidence boost, especially when I haven't showered, my hair's a mess, and I haven't been out of pajama pants for three days straight.
Download Marco Polo and talk to all of your Earth-angel friends today! You might regret it - but it will be worth it! :)
March 29, 2020: Day 14 - Playing with Poetry
Around this time of the year, my students and I spend a brief amount of time writing poetry. It's the one time in the year that they really get any exposure to prose and it's one of my favorites. The thing about poetry is that it demands to be felt and teenagers FEEL. They aren't always aware of all of their emotions, but they are so good at adequately pouring feelings out onto the page.
This year, I shamelessly stole an idea from a former high school ELA teacher had them write poems following a form of a fairly famous spoken word poet. The poem is called "My Honest Poem" and it's written and spoken by Rudy Francisco. Look him up, he's got some terrific stuff out there!
Their poems turned out amazing. I loved all of them. They made me laugh, they made me tear up, they made me wonder.
They had so many beautifully-written, relatable lines in their poems, that I decided to pull a line from each person's poem and created a "class poem." They turned out really cool. Here is one of the poems done in this style. I'm so sad I never got to share these with my students.
Teenage Honesty Poem (first edition)
This year, I shamelessly stole an idea from a former high school ELA teacher had them write poems following a form of a fairly famous spoken word poet. The poem is called "My Honest Poem" and it's written and spoken by Rudy Francisco. Look him up, he's got some terrific stuff out there!
Their poems turned out amazing. I loved all of them. They made me laugh, they made me tear up, they made me wonder.
They had so many beautifully-written, relatable lines in their poems, that I decided to pull a line from each person's poem and created a "class poem." They turned out really cool. Here is one of the poems done in this style. I'm so sad I never got to share these with my students.
Teenage Honesty Poem (first edition)
I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like everyone is judging me constantly.
I’m scared of change.
I have … an anger problem when I get mad , but... I don't like to argue
Sometimes I wonder what the dogs say about me.
Sometimes … I scare myself by thinking of the worst
I have an odd fascination with … wanting to jump out of a plane
I don’t know how to stop being awkward.
But I don’t allow myself to be afraid… on the outside.
I’ve never been to jail, but my thoughts are trapped behind bars inside my brain
Sometimes I wonder what my pillow would say about me.
I wonder what I would do if I was put in a life or death situation
I’m afraid if you see the real me you won’t like it
I’m stuck on this tiny iceberg, one wrong slip and it’s the end of what we call our friendship.
I’m still learning how not to argue with people
But I don’t allow myself to fail
I’ve never been truly heartbroken, but I know what it’s like to break myself to fit standards
I have … pure will
I’m still learning how …be a better person
I’m a sucker for hope.
Wow. Just reading it again brings a smile to my face. Teenagers: full of contradictions, fear, vulnerability. There is so much power in their words - and they don't even know it.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
March 28, 2020: Day 13 - Yes And...
I find the human brain fascinating. There are so many things our brains do, with and without us even thinking about it. It's an incredibly complex organ, performing multiple tasks every minute, every second, of every day. There is no shortage of absolutely phenomenal things our brains can do. But, one of the coolest things about this marvelous thinking organ is that it has the capacity to hold two opposing ideas in our minds...at once.
I've been thinking about this a lot, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. I see tons of posts everyday encouraging us to find the joys and blessings of every passing day sheltered in place, but I see every bit as many posts centered on the frustrations and inconveniences of this experience. Here's what I think. We can have both. We can do both. We can be both.
Our fantastical brains can allow us to both feel happy for increased time with our families at home, and also be a little overwhelmed that we have, in fact, so much time together, at home.
We can feel really anxious about having to go to the store and opening ourselves up to potential life-threatening germs, and also feel really appreciative that there's enough money in the bank to buy food from the market.
Some of us may feel anger towards our political leaders and local politicians, and still experience a sense of peace for the personal decisions we are making for ourselves and our families.
With modern technology, those of us who find ourselves more isolated than others have the opportunity to connect through various technological means. We can be distanced and social at the same time.
We can fear for the health care workers that are being sent to help people without proper gear and equipment, and still feel safe in the comfort of our own homes.
We can be disappointed about sports seasons, weddings, graduations and other events being cancelled, but we can also feel grateful for what we do have presently.
We can experience hope, and still feel like everything is falling apart - everywhere around us.
In our society, we spend so much time trying to make situations this or that. Democrat, Republican. Cats or dogs. Heroes or villains. Right or wrong. Black or white. Everything feels like an either or proposition. But, the reality is, the world is both a terrible and wonderful place. Good, and bad, things do happen here. We are surrounded by dualities in our complex, complicated lives, but we do not have to succumb to them.
To think we have to be one way or the other in such a singular fashion is a false choice. American writer, and novelist, F. Scott Fitzgerald, once said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." I find so much comfort there. We don't have to choose one way to be, think, or feel over another. Our brains have the capacity to choose "both." Do we?
I've been thinking about this a lot, in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. I see tons of posts everyday encouraging us to find the joys and blessings of every passing day sheltered in place, but I see every bit as many posts centered on the frustrations and inconveniences of this experience. Here's what I think. We can have both. We can do both. We can be both.
Our fantastical brains can allow us to both feel happy for increased time with our families at home, and also be a little overwhelmed that we have, in fact, so much time together, at home.
We can feel really anxious about having to go to the store and opening ourselves up to potential life-threatening germs, and also feel really appreciative that there's enough money in the bank to buy food from the market.
Some of us may feel anger towards our political leaders and local politicians, and still experience a sense of peace for the personal decisions we are making for ourselves and our families.
With modern technology, those of us who find ourselves more isolated than others have the opportunity to connect through various technological means. We can be distanced and social at the same time.
We can fear for the health care workers that are being sent to help people without proper gear and equipment, and still feel safe in the comfort of our own homes.
We can be disappointed about sports seasons, weddings, graduations and other events being cancelled, but we can also feel grateful for what we do have presently.
We can experience hope, and still feel like everything is falling apart - everywhere around us.
In our society, we spend so much time trying to make situations this or that. Democrat, Republican. Cats or dogs. Heroes or villains. Right or wrong. Black or white. Everything feels like an either or proposition. But, the reality is, the world is both a terrible and wonderful place. Good, and bad, things do happen here. We are surrounded by dualities in our complex, complicated lives, but we do not have to succumb to them.
To think we have to be one way or the other in such a singular fashion is a false choice. American writer, and novelist, F. Scott Fitzgerald, once said, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." I find so much comfort there. We don't have to choose one way to be, think, or feel over another. Our brains have the capacity to choose "both." Do we?
Friday, March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020: Day 12 - Hilarious $#!t My Family Says Whilst Sheltered In Place
So - I don't know if everyone realizes this but there's but nothing on television except Coronavirus. It's a constant battering ram of news cycles. More reported cases. More deaths. More calamity. It's actually exhausting - with every new report, I have to actively work against feeling hopeless and stressed.
It's too much.
So earlier this week, while looking for a distraction from all things Coronavirus, a friend asked me if I had watched the Netflix docuseries "Tiger King." I hadn't even heard of it and instantly looked it up. I mean - it's not like I had anything else to do.
 |
| This is the proverbial boat we found ourselves in this week. |
My sister, mom, husband and I started watching that day - and I'm not kidding you...It. Is. Something. Else. A lot of people say there are a lot of tv shows and movies that are absolutely nuts, but this one - this one puts all the rest to shame. Nothing compares to this show.
And, we're only on Episode 4!
Not everyone in the house is digging the docuseries as much as I am. My wonderful, smart, brilliant, 82 year old mother has not entirely embraced the Tiger King. Here's a little glimpse of watching the show with Jean - which, I promise you, only adds more hilarity to the entire spectacle...
Episode 1: "These people. are. strange." (Heavy emphasis on strange.)
Episode 2: Silence (I assume she's shocked speechless by this point.)
Episode 3: She walked out.
Episode 4: "Oh, Lordy! The smartest things on this show are the tigers!" (She's not wrong.)
If you're watching, or have watched the Tiger King, you can understand these reactions perfectly. If you haven't watched, and are considering watching, please don't dare say I recommended it to you. I can't bear that kind of responsibility right now. But, if you do decide to watch...
March 26, 2020: Day 11 - Hope for Humanity
If you Google the question, "What does it mean to be human?" you will get over ten billion hits. Ten. Billion. Let me get this straight: humans, myself included, are turning toward an electronic platform to explain to us who we are? Have we lost our minds? What can the all-mighty internet tell us about ourselves that we don't already know? Two things are clear: 1.) We are obsessed with ourselves and 2.) We are not at all self-aware.
Quickly glancing through the billions of hits, there are voices of artists, scientists, philosophers, politicians, writers, religious leaders and a whole host of other keyboard crusaders spending great amounts of time, and thought, communicating their interpretations of what it means to be human. And, yet, each voice, each person, has their own definition of the human experience. Is that, in and of itself, what it means to be human? Why is it so difficult for us to understand our own human-ness?
We know we are human beings by virtue of just being born. But, we struggle with the concept of being human because humans are capable of a great many atrocities, as well as a great many achievements. These two factors taken together makes it confusing to determine who we are as a collective - as humanity. If there is one good thing to come of Coronavirus, maybe it's this: the true essence of our humanity.
Sometimes it's hard to see the good when we've been told to isolate ourselves from each other and stay in our homes. It's difficult to recognize each other's benevolence when we feel disconnected from our communities. It is an innate challenge to preserve our humanity, when so much of who we think we are is tied to our connections with others. But, we, as a people, are adapting to this situation and figuring out how to extend our true humanity - our mercy, our compassion, our understanding, our generosity and our love.
I see people I know sewing masks for our front-line health care workers.
I see educators volunteering to assist with childcare needs for our health care workers.
I see children designing pictures - with hopeful messages and symbols - to hang in their windows or post on street signs in their neighborhoods.
I see people stepping up to help out their literal neighbors, especially those that are aged or compromised in some way, in order to get them groceries and other goods.
I see restaurateurs opening their doors to students, who in the absence of school are without meals, to ensure that they have something to eat.
I see grocery stores protecting our elderly shoppers by providing them with specific hours to shop.
I see friends dropping off baked goods, and other favorite treats, on each other's doorsteps to help them get through their days.
I am hearing of church groups calling their parishioners to just check in and see how they're doing and if they need anything.
I see many of us are following state edicts and guidelines to shelter in place, in order to help protect those of us that are more vulnerable to this virus.
I see people hosting virtual happy hours with open invitations to prevent social isolation.
I see fitness instructors offering their workouts online - for free - to help keep people moving and healthy.
I see former students, and friends of mine, who are posting crisis line phone numbers to remind us all that help is a phone call, or a text, away.
These are all examples I am witnessing daily in my own little sphere of being. There are even more examples of people coming together from all over the globe.
A few of the more notable examples include the residents in Italy who sang together from their balconies, people in Spain, Italy, and Israel have been seen giving rounds of applause to healthcare workers arriving on the scene, and a Michelin-star winning chef in the UK has prepared food boxes for those in need.
And, possibly, the most hopeful aspect of all of these endeavors is that they seem to be contagious. It would appear that we are experiencing an epidemic of our humanity in the midst of a global pandemic. Even in the midst of tragedy, catastrophe, devastation, and unimaginable loss, we, humans are starting to remember those among us that are in vulnerable positions - the elderly, the compromised, and the young who are forced to shelter in place with abusers, to name a few. Our natural environment is improving. By the looks of it, humans are exhibiting their humanity.
I don't know what the definitive answer is on what it means to be human. But, it's evident that in times of crises, like the Coronavirus, a light is shone brightly on our humanity. Let the light continue to illuminate our collective goodness in the face of all that is dark, for that is where hope lives.
Quickly glancing through the billions of hits, there are voices of artists, scientists, philosophers, politicians, writers, religious leaders and a whole host of other keyboard crusaders spending great amounts of time, and thought, communicating their interpretations of what it means to be human. And, yet, each voice, each person, has their own definition of the human experience. Is that, in and of itself, what it means to be human? Why is it so difficult for us to understand our own human-ness?
We know we are human beings by virtue of just being born. But, we struggle with the concept of being human because humans are capable of a great many atrocities, as well as a great many achievements. These two factors taken together makes it confusing to determine who we are as a collective - as humanity. If there is one good thing to come of Coronavirus, maybe it's this: the true essence of our humanity.
Sometimes it's hard to see the good when we've been told to isolate ourselves from each other and stay in our homes. It's difficult to recognize each other's benevolence when we feel disconnected from our communities. It is an innate challenge to preserve our humanity, when so much of who we think we are is tied to our connections with others. But, we, as a people, are adapting to this situation and figuring out how to extend our true humanity - our mercy, our compassion, our understanding, our generosity and our love.
I see people I know sewing masks for our front-line health care workers.
I see educators volunteering to assist with childcare needs for our health care workers.
I see children designing pictures - with hopeful messages and symbols - to hang in their windows or post on street signs in their neighborhoods.
I see people stepping up to help out their literal neighbors, especially those that are aged or compromised in some way, in order to get them groceries and other goods.
I see restaurateurs opening their doors to students, who in the absence of school are without meals, to ensure that they have something to eat.
I see grocery stores protecting our elderly shoppers by providing them with specific hours to shop.
I see friends dropping off baked goods, and other favorite treats, on each other's doorsteps to help them get through their days.
I am hearing of church groups calling their parishioners to just check in and see how they're doing and if they need anything.
I see many of us are following state edicts and guidelines to shelter in place, in order to help protect those of us that are more vulnerable to this virus.
I see people hosting virtual happy hours with open invitations to prevent social isolation.
I see fitness instructors offering their workouts online - for free - to help keep people moving and healthy.
I see former students, and friends of mine, who are posting crisis line phone numbers to remind us all that help is a phone call, or a text, away.
These are all examples I am witnessing daily in my own little sphere of being. There are even more examples of people coming together from all over the globe.
A few of the more notable examples include the residents in Italy who sang together from their balconies, people in Spain, Italy, and Israel have been seen giving rounds of applause to healthcare workers arriving on the scene, and a Michelin-star winning chef in the UK has prepared food boxes for those in need.
And, possibly, the most hopeful aspect of all of these endeavors is that they seem to be contagious. It would appear that we are experiencing an epidemic of our humanity in the midst of a global pandemic. Even in the midst of tragedy, catastrophe, devastation, and unimaginable loss, we, humans are starting to remember those among us that are in vulnerable positions - the elderly, the compromised, and the young who are forced to shelter in place with abusers, to name a few. Our natural environment is improving. By the looks of it, humans are exhibiting their humanity.
I don't know what the definitive answer is on what it means to be human. But, it's evident that in times of crises, like the Coronavirus, a light is shone brightly on our humanity. Let the light continue to illuminate our collective goodness in the face of all that is dark, for that is where hope lives.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
March 25, 2020: Day 10 - The Magical World of Judy
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
March 24, 2020: Day 9 - Will the Kids Be All Right?
I'm an expert in the field of worrying. I worry like it's my second job (it doesn't pay well, let me tell ya!). There's no shortage of things I can find to worry about on a daily basis. I'm sure I'm among great company in my worrying these days. Worry, worry, it's everywhere.
But, tonight, I'm losing sleep over our precious young people. I'm worried about my students, ya'll.
I know my students. I am often humbled. and honored, by what they choose to share with me - even when it's more than I'd like to know! I'm proud to know them, their histories, their stories. And, I know them - who they are, where they come from, and what they're about.
I know that some of my students are enjoying this time away from school because they can enjoy this time away from school. Some of my students have cohesive family units to support them through this time. They have plenty of food to nourish their growing bodies while they are home all day. They have computers to access educational materials and supplemental learning opportunities. They may even have families that are spending additional downtime with them through board games, puzzles, cooking, and watching tv. These students can better manage their feelings of fright and anxiousness about the world because the people around them have the capacity to help them regulate their emotions. I know that many of them live in a safe place and have warm beds to sleep in at night. For these students, this time is utopian. It's great. Years down the road, they may look back on this time sheltered in place with delight. They may look back on this experience as a time in their lives where they had plenty of rest and leisurely days relatively free of stress. They were happy.
For these kids, school or no school, they will be all right. I know these kids will be all right.
But, I also know that some of my students are not enjoying this time away from school. For some students, school, not home, is their safe place. It is the place they rely on to provide structure, and thus, a sense of control over their lives. School is where these students access meals, and technology that helps them learn how to be responsible digital citizens. School is where they are surrounded by caring, compassionate adults that help them navigate their academics, emotions, and behavior. For some, home is a chaotic place with very little structure or stability. For some of my students, having a home is nothing more than a dream. For these students, this time is miserable. Years from now, these students may look back on this time and find it shaded by hours spent alone, bored, insecure about where there next meal is coming from and with no one to talk to. They might remember this time as being especially stressful for their families, as jobs were lost, bills went unpaid, and the sacrifices they had to make to sustain themselves. They might remember the arguments, the yelling, the fighting that surrounded them as emotions went unchecked and tensions boiled over.
For these kids, I can't help but wonder: will they be all right? There's no way I can know right now.
What I do know from my students' stories, though, is that our young ones are incredibly resilient. Some of them have the wherewithal to apply necessary knowledge and skills to overcome their hardships. Others of them rely on their social skills to adapt the challenging circumstances. Some of them have a naturally optimistic, or cultivated, temperament that allows them the ability to find control within their own personal spheres and that allows them to persevere. All of them will have their coping skills put to the test during this time - for better or worse.
The hopeful part of me has to believe that the kids will be all right. The pragmatic part of me knows that we will all see residual effects of this global trauma on our young people for years to come.
I know that worrying isn't going to change anything about the experiences my students are having. I know that problems aren't solved with my worrying. And, I've yet to prevent any bad thing from happening just because I was worried. But, I also know it's unrealistic for me to not worry. I worry. It's part of what I do. I am compelled to worry. I worry because I care.
But, tonight, I'm losing sleep over our precious young people. I'm worried about my students, ya'll.
I know my students. I am often humbled. and honored, by what they choose to share with me - even when it's more than I'd like to know! I'm proud to know them, their histories, their stories. And, I know them - who they are, where they come from, and what they're about.
I know that some of my students are enjoying this time away from school because they can enjoy this time away from school. Some of my students have cohesive family units to support them through this time. They have plenty of food to nourish their growing bodies while they are home all day. They have computers to access educational materials and supplemental learning opportunities. They may even have families that are spending additional downtime with them through board games, puzzles, cooking, and watching tv. These students can better manage their feelings of fright and anxiousness about the world because the people around them have the capacity to help them regulate their emotions. I know that many of them live in a safe place and have warm beds to sleep in at night. For these students, this time is utopian. It's great. Years down the road, they may look back on this time sheltered in place with delight. They may look back on this experience as a time in their lives where they had plenty of rest and leisurely days relatively free of stress. They were happy.
For these kids, school or no school, they will be all right. I know these kids will be all right.
But, I also know that some of my students are not enjoying this time away from school. For some students, school, not home, is their safe place. It is the place they rely on to provide structure, and thus, a sense of control over their lives. School is where these students access meals, and technology that helps them learn how to be responsible digital citizens. School is where they are surrounded by caring, compassionate adults that help them navigate their academics, emotions, and behavior. For some, home is a chaotic place with very little structure or stability. For some of my students, having a home is nothing more than a dream. For these students, this time is miserable. Years from now, these students may look back on this time and find it shaded by hours spent alone, bored, insecure about where there next meal is coming from and with no one to talk to. They might remember this time as being especially stressful for their families, as jobs were lost, bills went unpaid, and the sacrifices they had to make to sustain themselves. They might remember the arguments, the yelling, the fighting that surrounded them as emotions went unchecked and tensions boiled over.
For these kids, I can't help but wonder: will they be all right? There's no way I can know right now.
What I do know from my students' stories, though, is that our young ones are incredibly resilient. Some of them have the wherewithal to apply necessary knowledge and skills to overcome their hardships. Others of them rely on their social skills to adapt the challenging circumstances. Some of them have a naturally optimistic, or cultivated, temperament that allows them the ability to find control within their own personal spheres and that allows them to persevere. All of them will have their coping skills put to the test during this time - for better or worse.
The hopeful part of me has to believe that the kids will be all right. The pragmatic part of me knows that we will all see residual effects of this global trauma on our young people for years to come.
I know that worrying isn't going to change anything about the experiences my students are having. I know that problems aren't solved with my worrying. And, I've yet to prevent any bad thing from happening just because I was worried. But, I also know it's unrealistic for me to not worry. I worry. It's part of what I do. I am compelled to worry. I worry because I care.
Monday, March 23, 2020
March 23, 2020 - Day 8: Schooled: An Open Letter to Parents Trying To HomeSchool on the Fly
Dear Parents,
Look, parenting is hard. There's no doubt about it. What you do on a daily basis seems impossible to me. It's impossible to me because I don't (yet) have any of my own biological children. But, I have our children - everyday - in the classroom. I teach them, so I know your job is hard. Teaching is hard, too.
Now, many of you, have found yourselves feeling like you have to take on the yet another job - teaching - on top of your parenting job and the job that, you know, actually pays your bills. Some of you are jumping into this venture fully committed and enthusiastic, some of you are hesitantly taking on the job because you're feeling the pressure from other parents, social media, etc, and some of you feel forced into this because you can't, in good conscience, allow your child to be on an electronic device for 8 hours a day. Some of you simply recognize that your local schools will soon be issuing "supplemental learning" activities that will offer your child little access to a certified teacher. By default, you have quickly become an educator. You might be feeling invigorated by this new challenge, frustrated, and/or scared to death to have been put in this position. As an educator for nearly 13 years, I can tell you I've felt enthusiastic, pressured, challenged, frustrated and scared to be taking on a teaching role and sometimes all in the same hour! So, today, I wanted to write you a letter offering you some words of encouragement through the lessons I've learned from working in the trenches, alongside our children over the years.
Be Purposeful & Intentional
In teaching, the end goal matters. Be clear on what you want the student to learn and set out to work with the student to achieve that goal. Without a clear end point, it's impossible to know whether or not you've accomplished what you think you set out to accomplish.
Be a Clear Communicator
Students need their teachers to be impeccable with their words. Explain thoroughly, but don't succumb to the pressure to over-explain. Use as few words as necessary to clearly get your point across. Believe me, our students reach informational overload much quicker than you'd think! But, it's a tricky balance because if you under-explain, they will deftly and expertly exploit any loopholes in the directions or instructions.
Be a Facilitator
Sometimes as teachers, we feel an overwhelming pressure to have to know it all about whatever our subject is. Here's the truth: you don't have to know everything. Shed the unrealistic expectations that you have to know everything about the math, or the reading, or the writing, or the science. This will allow you to be more of a guide, rather than a know-it-all-about-everything. No one expects you to know everything, so give yourself some grace.
Be Supportive
I've learned that what kids really want in the classroom is a cheerleader. Some kids appreciate the deep critique of their work, but most kids want to know what they did well. Find the things our students are doing well and use those as launch pads into areas of improvement.
Be Patient
Just know from the outset - nothing will go as planned. No matter how well you think you've got the learning session set up - our students often have a different idea. These clever kids have an uncanny ability to tap dance on every last nerve that you have, and they will. Be prepared for that to happen, so they can't throw you off your game.
Be Accepting
Listen, kids are going to make mistakes. You are, too. Accept alllllll of the mistakes and then rejoice in them! Mistakes are proof that students are trying to learn. Do adults grasp every new concept on the first try? Not always! Kids don't either.
Be Firm, Yet Kind
It might seem like these two ideas are in direct opposition. They're not. If you're dedicated to the concept of your child completing certain educational tasks in their day, hold that line, firmly. Be unyielding about the importance of their learning. But, KINDLY ensure that your student knows that you are doing this because you CARE SO MUCH about them and their education.
Be a Listener
Our young people have incredible questions and things to say. They also have profound concerns. Listen to what they have to say. Like, actually, listen. Early on in my career, I had students outright say, "You're not listening to me!" And, upon further reflection on those instances, those students were right. I wasn't listening. I had to learn that I needed to stop talking in order to hear what the young people were saying.
Be Understanding
Understand that your student is probably having just as difficult a time adjusting to their parent as their new teacher, just as their parent might be having difficulty adjusting from parent to teacher. I've found that a little empathy goes a long way in dealing with other humans - young and old.
Be Reasonable
I'm just going to say it: taking the role of an educator, when you have no training for this, is not reasonable. You're going to do the best you can with what you have and that's all you can do. Expecting that you're going to replace the educational system is unreasonable. Expecting that you're even going to be able to to deliver academic instruction to your child for 6 hours a day is unreasonable. Make sure that what you're asking of yourself, and your student, is reasonable. Make sure that what you're asking of yourself, and your student, is reasonable. What feels reasonable one day, may not feel that way the next. That’s to be expected and that’s okay.
Put Your Relationship First
Any educator worth his/her salt knows that the relationships are at the heart of teaching. You may have noticed I purposely didn't focus on curriculum, materials, and the importance of academics. The truth of the matter is, the academics always come secondary to the bond between teacher and student. Children do not learn in academic programs, they learn through relationship first. Don't get me wrong: academics are important, but they're certainly not THE most important. The reality is our students might not remember all the lessons we intend to teach them, but they will always remember the way they felt. Whatever your relationship is with your child, that is what they will remember.
In closing, parents, please know that this educator is with you (from afar) as you make the valiant attempt to provide some sense of normalcy for your child, in what is surely a very abnormal situation. I respect and honor you for I know what you're up against. I know it ain't easy! I’m grateful to you and I appreciate you. I promise you: I see you. I hear you. I believe in you and I love you. You got this!
Look, parenting is hard. There's no doubt about it. What you do on a daily basis seems impossible to me. It's impossible to me because I don't (yet) have any of my own biological children. But, I have our children - everyday - in the classroom. I teach them, so I know your job is hard. Teaching is hard, too.
Now, many of you, have found yourselves feeling like you have to take on the yet another job - teaching - on top of your parenting job and the job that, you know, actually pays your bills. Some of you are jumping into this venture fully committed and enthusiastic, some of you are hesitantly taking on the job because you're feeling the pressure from other parents, social media, etc, and some of you feel forced into this because you can't, in good conscience, allow your child to be on an electronic device for 8 hours a day. Some of you simply recognize that your local schools will soon be issuing "supplemental learning" activities that will offer your child little access to a certified teacher. By default, you have quickly become an educator. You might be feeling invigorated by this new challenge, frustrated, and/or scared to death to have been put in this position. As an educator for nearly 13 years, I can tell you I've felt enthusiastic, pressured, challenged, frustrated and scared to be taking on a teaching role and sometimes all in the same hour! So, today, I wanted to write you a letter offering you some words of encouragement through the lessons I've learned from working in the trenches, alongside our children over the years.
Be Purposeful & Intentional
In teaching, the end goal matters. Be clear on what you want the student to learn and set out to work with the student to achieve that goal. Without a clear end point, it's impossible to know whether or not you've accomplished what you think you set out to accomplish.
Be a Clear Communicator
Students need their teachers to be impeccable with their words. Explain thoroughly, but don't succumb to the pressure to over-explain. Use as few words as necessary to clearly get your point across. Believe me, our students reach informational overload much quicker than you'd think! But, it's a tricky balance because if you under-explain, they will deftly and expertly exploit any loopholes in the directions or instructions.
Be a Facilitator
Sometimes as teachers, we feel an overwhelming pressure to have to know it all about whatever our subject is. Here's the truth: you don't have to know everything. Shed the unrealistic expectations that you have to know everything about the math, or the reading, or the writing, or the science. This will allow you to be more of a guide, rather than a know-it-all-about-everything. No one expects you to know everything, so give yourself some grace.
Be Supportive
I've learned that what kids really want in the classroom is a cheerleader. Some kids appreciate the deep critique of their work, but most kids want to know what they did well. Find the things our students are doing well and use those as launch pads into areas of improvement.
Be Patient
Just know from the outset - nothing will go as planned. No matter how well you think you've got the learning session set up - our students often have a different idea. These clever kids have an uncanny ability to tap dance on every last nerve that you have, and they will. Be prepared for that to happen, so they can't throw you off your game.
Be Accepting
Listen, kids are going to make mistakes. You are, too. Accept alllllll of the mistakes and then rejoice in them! Mistakes are proof that students are trying to learn. Do adults grasp every new concept on the first try? Not always! Kids don't either.
Be Firm, Yet Kind
It might seem like these two ideas are in direct opposition. They're not. If you're dedicated to the concept of your child completing certain educational tasks in their day, hold that line, firmly. Be unyielding about the importance of their learning. But, KINDLY ensure that your student knows that you are doing this because you CARE SO MUCH about them and their education.
Be a Listener
Our young people have incredible questions and things to say. They also have profound concerns. Listen to what they have to say. Like, actually, listen. Early on in my career, I had students outright say, "You're not listening to me!" And, upon further reflection on those instances, those students were right. I wasn't listening. I had to learn that I needed to stop talking in order to hear what the young people were saying.
Be Understanding
Understand that your student is probably having just as difficult a time adjusting to their parent as their new teacher, just as their parent might be having difficulty adjusting from parent to teacher. I've found that a little empathy goes a long way in dealing with other humans - young and old.
Be Reasonable
I'm just going to say it: taking the role of an educator, when you have no training for this, is not reasonable. You're going to do the best you can with what you have and that's all you can do. Expecting that you're going to replace the educational system is unreasonable. Expecting that you're even going to be able to to deliver academic instruction to your child for 6 hours a day is unreasonable. Make sure that what you're asking of yourself, and your student, is reasonable. Make sure that what you're asking of yourself, and your student, is reasonable. What feels reasonable one day, may not feel that way the next. That’s to be expected and that’s okay.
Put Your Relationship First
Any educator worth his/her salt knows that the relationships are at the heart of teaching. You may have noticed I purposely didn't focus on curriculum, materials, and the importance of academics. The truth of the matter is, the academics always come secondary to the bond between teacher and student. Children do not learn in academic programs, they learn through relationship first. Don't get me wrong: academics are important, but they're certainly not THE most important. The reality is our students might not remember all the lessons we intend to teach them, but they will always remember the way they felt. Whatever your relationship is with your child, that is what they will remember.
In closing, parents, please know that this educator is with you (from afar) as you make the valiant attempt to provide some sense of normalcy for your child, in what is surely a very abnormal situation. I respect and honor you for I know what you're up against. I know it ain't easy! I’m grateful to you and I appreciate you. I promise you: I see you. I hear you. I believe in you and I love you. You got this!
March 22, 2020 - Day 7: Sports Stood Still
Former chief justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren once said, "I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records
people’s accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man’s failures." Not only does this quote uphold the role of sports journalism in so many of our lives, but it also, perhaps more importantly, gives us a glimmer of what we are all yearning for right now - some good news.
In the midst of all the Coronavirus talk - and there's plenty of that - I find myself longing for the standard that has sustained so many spring and summer seasons throughout my life - baseball.
Baseball has long played a crucial role in my life and in developing who I have eventually become. As a young girl, my brother, who is 12 years my senior, would often load me up and take me to the ballpark hours before his high school and legion games. The ballpark, Kiger Stadium, came to be a sort of home away from home. So many spring afternoons, sun or snow, and so many summer twilights were spent there, that I soon came to earn the nickname "Judy Ballpark."
There is some kind of magic that happens in those hours before the game. The players stretch, take batting practice, and complete infield and outfield drills. Each player going through his own pre-game routine (sure to be rife with a superstitious element or two). The concessionaires arrive and open their stands. The scent of grills well seasoned with the tantalizing juices of burger patties and hot dogs begins to waft out into the stands. Fans begin to arrive, waving and smiling at one another - seemingly thrilled to spend another evening together at the field. All of this happens before the game even begins. These precious hours of routine, ritualized preparation hold the beautiful promise that there is no predicting that which is about to happen in the game.
Then, the national anthem will play. The first pitch will be thrown and the game will be underway. For the next few hours, the crowd will watch two teams struggle after victory, inning after inning. The lone batter will have to face his opponent on the pitcher's mound. The batter relies on his teammates to cheer and support him, but he must muster the courage to face the adversity on his own. He can be sure that the pitcher is going to try everything in his power to trip him up, psych him out, and pitch right past him. Fans will cheer on the batter and there is the almighty hope of getting a hit. And, the batter knows, if he can make contact with ball, then the rest is largely out of his hands. He is resigned to the fact that the fielders on the other team will do whatever they can do to make the out. This is known, and expected, in the game, for that is how the game is played. But...
The game of baseball is full of as much uncertainty as it is certainty. Some of you may remember the famous line from Bull Durham, when "Nuke" tells a reporter, "Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. And, sometimes it rains." There is certainly no controlling the weather in baseball, and that's just the beginning of uncontrollable elements. There's no controlling the calls made by the ump behind the plate, or out in the field. There's no controlling the skills and abilities of the players on the opposing team, or the conditions of the field. And, there's certainly no controlling the obnoxious fans whose spirits rise and fall by the performance of their team.
I miss all of this. I miss spring training. I miss watching my nephews take the field, and seeing my brother stand in the third, or first base, box. I miss hearing how my nephews are doing in each of their games that fill our time during the spring months. I miss the crack of the bat, and the soothing sound of the ball hitting the inside of a glove. I miss the umps called strike three. I miss all the rituals and preparations for a game well-played. I miss all the certainties and uncertainties of the game, and the seemingly impossible balance that baseball seems to strike between the two. I miss the hope and the nervous excitement in pursuing a win.
The game of baseball mirrors life, in terms of success and failure, certainty and uncertainty. Perhaps that's why so many of us crave the consistency that the game provides each and every spring. We relish in it's certainty and uncertainty, alike. The knowingness that in 9 innings there will be a series of ups and downs, and in the end, everything will be all right. In this moment, life has thrown us a proverbial curve ball with this novel virus and we must muster the courage to face it. We must believe that if we make necessary preparations and take necessary steps to keep ourselves and our communities safe - we, too, will be all right.
I can count on one hand the times I personally remember amateur and professional sports coming to a grinding halt. Major catastrophic events have halted the sports world in the past, but none has been as disruptive as the novel Coronavirus. And, in a time when we could really use the pick-me-up that sports often brings, we have nothing to fall back on (although Table Tennis is making a huge, and unprecedented, run on ESPN right now!) This virus is a harsh reminder that there are some things that are much bigger than baseball. But, baseball will be back. The long season and nights spent under the stadium lights will return. We don't know when, but I am confident that when it returns the fans will flood the stadiums, the players will take the field with a newfound hustle and joy, and our appreciation, gratitude, and love for the game will grow even deeper. Until then, I'll be sitting at home, on my couch, watching reruns of World Series' past, cheering for America and America's greatest pastime, alike. Even though I'll have to pop my own popcorn (which is nowhere near the same as stadium corn) and drink my own can of soda while I watch, it'll be something to get me through. And, I will be here waiting, with open arms, for a very welcome return to the grind.
In the midst of all the Coronavirus talk - and there's plenty of that - I find myself longing for the standard that has sustained so many spring and summer seasons throughout my life - baseball.
Baseball has long played a crucial role in my life and in developing who I have eventually become. As a young girl, my brother, who is 12 years my senior, would often load me up and take me to the ballpark hours before his high school and legion games. The ballpark, Kiger Stadium, came to be a sort of home away from home. So many spring afternoons, sun or snow, and so many summer twilights were spent there, that I soon came to earn the nickname "Judy Ballpark."
There is some kind of magic that happens in those hours before the game. The players stretch, take batting practice, and complete infield and outfield drills. Each player going through his own pre-game routine (sure to be rife with a superstitious element or two). The concessionaires arrive and open their stands. The scent of grills well seasoned with the tantalizing juices of burger patties and hot dogs begins to waft out into the stands. Fans begin to arrive, waving and smiling at one another - seemingly thrilled to spend another evening together at the field. All of this happens before the game even begins. These precious hours of routine, ritualized preparation hold the beautiful promise that there is no predicting that which is about to happen in the game.
Then, the national anthem will play. The first pitch will be thrown and the game will be underway. For the next few hours, the crowd will watch two teams struggle after victory, inning after inning. The lone batter will have to face his opponent on the pitcher's mound. The batter relies on his teammates to cheer and support him, but he must muster the courage to face the adversity on his own. He can be sure that the pitcher is going to try everything in his power to trip him up, psych him out, and pitch right past him. Fans will cheer on the batter and there is the almighty hope of getting a hit. And, the batter knows, if he can make contact with ball, then the rest is largely out of his hands. He is resigned to the fact that the fielders on the other team will do whatever they can do to make the out. This is known, and expected, in the game, for that is how the game is played. But...
The game of baseball is full of as much uncertainty as it is certainty. Some of you may remember the famous line from Bull Durham, when "Nuke" tells a reporter, "Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. And, sometimes it rains." There is certainly no controlling the weather in baseball, and that's just the beginning of uncontrollable elements. There's no controlling the calls made by the ump behind the plate, or out in the field. There's no controlling the skills and abilities of the players on the opposing team, or the conditions of the field. And, there's certainly no controlling the obnoxious fans whose spirits rise and fall by the performance of their team.
I miss all of this. I miss spring training. I miss watching my nephews take the field, and seeing my brother stand in the third, or first base, box. I miss hearing how my nephews are doing in each of their games that fill our time during the spring months. I miss the crack of the bat, and the soothing sound of the ball hitting the inside of a glove. I miss the umps called strike three. I miss all the rituals and preparations for a game well-played. I miss all the certainties and uncertainties of the game, and the seemingly impossible balance that baseball seems to strike between the two. I miss the hope and the nervous excitement in pursuing a win.
The game of baseball mirrors life, in terms of success and failure, certainty and uncertainty. Perhaps that's why so many of us crave the consistency that the game provides each and every spring. We relish in it's certainty and uncertainty, alike. The knowingness that in 9 innings there will be a series of ups and downs, and in the end, everything will be all right. In this moment, life has thrown us a proverbial curve ball with this novel virus and we must muster the courage to face it. We must believe that if we make necessary preparations and take necessary steps to keep ourselves and our communities safe - we, too, will be all right.
I can count on one hand the times I personally remember amateur and professional sports coming to a grinding halt. Major catastrophic events have halted the sports world in the past, but none has been as disruptive as the novel Coronavirus. And, in a time when we could really use the pick-me-up that sports often brings, we have nothing to fall back on (although Table Tennis is making a huge, and unprecedented, run on ESPN right now!) This virus is a harsh reminder that there are some things that are much bigger than baseball. But, baseball will be back. The long season and nights spent under the stadium lights will return. We don't know when, but I am confident that when it returns the fans will flood the stadiums, the players will take the field with a newfound hustle and joy, and our appreciation, gratitude, and love for the game will grow even deeper. Until then, I'll be sitting at home, on my couch, watching reruns of World Series' past, cheering for America and America's greatest pastime, alike. Even though I'll have to pop my own popcorn (which is nowhere near the same as stadium corn) and drink my own can of soda while I watch, it'll be something to get me through. And, I will be here waiting, with open arms, for a very welcome return to the grind.
March 21, 2020 - Day 6: Coping With Certain Uncertainties
Sprin break officially began in Oregon today. But, I've lost that spring break feeling...
The school calendar marks certain breaks that interrupt the regular monotony of the day in, day out grind. Many teachers and students eagerly anticipate these breaks, namely, winter break, spring break and summer, to name the big three. These natural breaks in the year allow us (students and teachers, alike) to rest, recover, regroup, and prepare ourselves for the demands and rigors of springtime in our schools. For eighth graders, that means loads of state testing, end of the year field trips, wickedly warm classrooms, the long-awaited for departure ceremony, and the highly anticipated 8th grade dance. This year, however, there will be no returning after this week - at least not in the way that we've come to expect.
We know that we will be remotely providing supplemental learning opportunities until the end of April. What we don't know is what that will look like and how that will be coordinated and implemented. State leaders in Kansas and Virginia have already determined that school buildings will remain shuttered until the end of the school year - at least. State leaders in California and New York are discussing the possibility of closing their schools until the end of the year, as well. Not only are we unsure of how we are going to provide learning opportunities for our students for the coming month, we clearly do not know how long we will be asked to provide remote education.
We know the multitude of factors that must be considered when determining how we will possibly reach and teach each individual child from afar. Every student's situation has to be accounted for. We know that every child's environment is different, and every child's learning needs are different. We don't know how to accommodate each student through a computer or paper version of learning.
We know that educators may not have the capacity to provide quality education right now. We don't know the situations every educator is up against, but it can be presumed that there will be some of us who have found themselves with caring for their own children all day, as well as providing distance learning options for their students. We can presume that some of our educators have limited understanding of the technological demands that this type of learning may require. And, in the worst case scenario, there are some educators that will be struck ill with Coronavirus. We don't know how they will be expected to provide distance learning when they can't call in a substitute.
And, of all of this is within the fairly narrow scope of my professional life. Uncertainty abounds. It's surround all of us nearly every hour of the day. There are so many things that we are just unsure about. For some of us, this is an incredibly uncomfortable place to me. I am one of those people. I am the ultimate planner - if you don't believe me - ask my family about their family vacation itineraries I hand out! My days frequently are composed of to-do lists and agenda items. My classroom schedule is much of the same. Plans give me control and a sense of purpose. An unanticipated week off prior to spring break, and now an isolated spring break, and not really knowing what the coming weeks hold has me a little off kilter: lost and anxious.
There are certain strategies I've learned over the years that help me to control such feelings. I write. I read. I talk to the people I love - thank God for my mother! I take baths and drink a lot of water and tea! And, as of last night, I make little videos for my friends on Marco Polo. I have a feeling that the next few weeks are going to have me drawing on every single coping strategy I've ever used to get me through it. I largely recommend all of you do the same.
The school calendar marks certain breaks that interrupt the regular monotony of the day in, day out grind. Many teachers and students eagerly anticipate these breaks, namely, winter break, spring break and summer, to name the big three. These natural breaks in the year allow us (students and teachers, alike) to rest, recover, regroup, and prepare ourselves for the demands and rigors of springtime in our schools. For eighth graders, that means loads of state testing, end of the year field trips, wickedly warm classrooms, the long-awaited for departure ceremony, and the highly anticipated 8th grade dance. This year, however, there will be no returning after this week - at least not in the way that we've come to expect.
We know that we will be remotely providing supplemental learning opportunities until the end of April. What we don't know is what that will look like and how that will be coordinated and implemented. State leaders in Kansas and Virginia have already determined that school buildings will remain shuttered until the end of the school year - at least. State leaders in California and New York are discussing the possibility of closing their schools until the end of the year, as well. Not only are we unsure of how we are going to provide learning opportunities for our students for the coming month, we clearly do not know how long we will be asked to provide remote education.
We know the multitude of factors that must be considered when determining how we will possibly reach and teach each individual child from afar. Every student's situation has to be accounted for. We know that every child's environment is different, and every child's learning needs are different. We don't know how to accommodate each student through a computer or paper version of learning.
We know that educators may not have the capacity to provide quality education right now. We don't know the situations every educator is up against, but it can be presumed that there will be some of us who have found themselves with caring for their own children all day, as well as providing distance learning options for their students. We can presume that some of our educators have limited understanding of the technological demands that this type of learning may require. And, in the worst case scenario, there are some educators that will be struck ill with Coronavirus. We don't know how they will be expected to provide distance learning when they can't call in a substitute.
And, of all of this is within the fairly narrow scope of my professional life. Uncertainty abounds. It's surround all of us nearly every hour of the day. There are so many things that we are just unsure about. For some of us, this is an incredibly uncomfortable place to me. I am one of those people. I am the ultimate planner - if you don't believe me - ask my family about their family vacation itineraries I hand out! My days frequently are composed of to-do lists and agenda items. My classroom schedule is much of the same. Plans give me control and a sense of purpose. An unanticipated week off prior to spring break, and now an isolated spring break, and not really knowing what the coming weeks hold has me a little off kilter: lost and anxious.
There are certain strategies I've learned over the years that help me to control such feelings. I write. I read. I talk to the people I love - thank God for my mother! I take baths and drink a lot of water and tea! And, as of last night, I make little videos for my friends on Marco Polo. I have a feeling that the next few weeks are going to have me drawing on every single coping strategy I've ever used to get me through it. I largely recommend all of you do the same.
Friday, March 20, 2020
March 20, 2020 - Day 5: The Tango
My husband and I are the proud dog-parents of a 16 week old Weimaraner: Tango Macallan Von Weimaraner. Right now, he is sleeping alongside me, apparently having some wild dreams. We brought this little bundle of joy home when he was 8 weeks old. Having never had a puppy before, I was admittedly extremely nervous, but my husband was much more confident. He has wanted a dog for years upon years, so when I finally acquiesced to a Weimaraner, he was thrilled.
The Weim is a breed that is known for it's high energy - which makes it hilarious that two extremely lazy people decided to try this as their first dog together. I understood what we were getting into as much as someone who has never had a dog of her own before understands puppyhood - which is to say, I understood not at all. My husband does the lion's share of work and if he didn't this fun little experiment wouldn't have lasted one week. He gets up with the puppy every night (down from three times a night to one!). He gets up early with the puppy - gets him fed - and snuggles him. He ensures that puppy gets his food, water, medication, and most importantly a fabulous babysitter that came to our house to care for Tango for the first 8 weeks of his life in our home.
On the whole, Tango does pretty well considering his 16 short weeks of life. He has learned how to sit, come, and settle. He is learning how to walk on a leash and how to sleep on his own bed. (He sleeps in his crate at night!) Generally speaking, he is pretty good - save for the lace curtains in the front room which he has absolutely destroyed. Good riddance, I say, I never liked those curtains anyway!
At just over 16 weeks old, there are some things we've learned about our little guy. He loves his people, well, actually any kind of people. He loves other dogs that are around his size or smaller. He loves treats, and will perform accordingly to acquire said treats. He seems to enjoy learning and is quick to pick up a new trick (behavior). We love watching our good puppy become an even better puppy every day!
Tango likes:
- Stealing clothes off of the bathroom counter and taking them out into the yard.
- Running free in the fields near our house
- The dog park so long as he doesn't have to get chased by the big, scary dogs.
- Ice cubes
- Snuggling before bed time
- Puzzle games (hiding a treat in a small cardboard box, or washed out yogurt container)
- Kong stuffed with peanut butter
- His friends, Rocket and Lupa, at puppy school
- Bringing the outside inside
- Going to mom's work, meeting the kids, and running the halls
- Chewing on shoes/slippers
- Shoelaces
- Socks
Tango dislikes:
- Barking
- Riding in the car
- Time outs
- When outside materials have to stay outside
- Being made to get off the furniture
- Being woken up
In these times of staying home, and staying healthy, we're both pretty happy to have the Tango hang out with us. He's a pretty chill dude, which fills us with both gratitude and amusement. We can count on him for several good attention-seeking moments throughout the day. But, we can also count on him to be the adorable little joy-ball that lifts our spirits when they're down. He's 100% love and we're so happy that he is ours!
On the whole, Tango does pretty well considering his 16 short weeks of life. He has learned how to sit, come, and settle. He is learning how to walk on a leash and how to sleep on his own bed. (He sleeps in his crate at night!) Generally speaking, he is pretty good - save for the lace curtains in the front room which he has absolutely destroyed. Good riddance, I say, I never liked those curtains anyway!
Tango likes:
- Stealing clothes off of the bathroom counter and taking them out into the yard.
- Running free in the fields near our house
- The dog park so long as he doesn't have to get chased by the big, scary dogs.
- Ice cubes
- Snuggling before bed time
- Puzzle games (hiding a treat in a small cardboard box, or washed out yogurt container)
- Kong stuffed with peanut butter
- His friends, Rocket and Lupa, at puppy school
- Bringing the outside inside
- Going to mom's work, meeting the kids, and running the halls
- Chewing on shoes/slippers
- Shoelaces
- Socks
Tango dislikes:
- Barking
- Riding in the car
- Time outs
- When outside materials have to stay outside
- Being made to get off the furniture
- Being woken up
Thursday, March 19, 2020
March 19, 2020 - Day 4: Social Media Distancing & Skewers
Skewers! I have skewers! This is a very exciting moment in our house today. The recipe I selected for our dinner tonight relies on skewers - and before you go saying, (feel free to think it, but don't you dare say it to me) "Oh you can sub x-y-z for skewers. You don't HAVE to have skewers..." you need to take into account my limited cooking skills. I do not deviate from the recipe! There will be no risk taking in my kitchen. I like to play by the rules of cooking, so if the recipe says I need skewers, I need skewers. The thing is, though, I just checked the recipe and it does not explicitly say I need skewers. The pictures show skewers and there is a mention of putting the meat and veggies on the skewers, but it is not on the ingredient list. I guess it's not technically an ingredient, but if it's going to be part of making the meal they really ought to say. No one should be assuming people just have skewers laying around, after all...
Dinner victory is mine!
This, however, was not the only highlight of my day. Yesterday, in a group thread I belong to with four friends from high school, it became clear to us that we could solve the social distancing problem with a virtual Google Hangout. Once bedtime schedules were consulted, we decided on our evening time and place (haha!) and set up the meeting. It was an absolute hoot! Virtual Happy Hours are becoming a real thing. This is how our Social Squad Soiree began:
"Does everyone have a drink?"
Me: "Well I thought I would, but I don't think I've actually had any water in like 48 hours..."
"OMG. You're totally pregnant."
False. Not pregnant, but super dehydrated. I've got all day to drink water tomorrow. It felt SO good to laugh and just talk to a group of other people - not texting, not emailing, just talking - voice on voice. I read once that women do this. We have to talk to others, and through this, small amounts of oxytocin are released, which elevates mood and the feeling of being connected to others. Perhaps this is one reason why you frequently overhear/see women talking to each other in the bathroom. We're wired for this! The group chat/virtual happy hour/hangout was a roaring success. We even got a little productive by way of creating a spreadsheet with multiple tabs for entertainment categories (tv shows, podcasts, music, books, etc) to consolidate all of our recommendations in one place. We are a lot of fun to hang out with!
So what I learned is this. Social distancing does not have to mean social isolation. Thanks to modern technologies and communications it is possible to stay connected. That said, I am nearly on the verge of deleting my Facebook app...
Dinner victory is mine!
This, however, was not the only highlight of my day. Yesterday, in a group thread I belong to with four friends from high school, it became clear to us that we could solve the social distancing problem with a virtual Google Hangout. Once bedtime schedules were consulted, we decided on our evening time and place (haha!) and set up the meeting. It was an absolute hoot! Virtual Happy Hours are becoming a real thing. This is how our Social Squad Soiree began:
"Does everyone have a drink?"
Me: "Well I thought I would, but I don't think I've actually had any water in like 48 hours..."
"OMG. You're totally pregnant."
False. Not pregnant, but super dehydrated. I've got all day to drink water tomorrow. It felt SO good to laugh and just talk to a group of other people - not texting, not emailing, just talking - voice on voice. I read once that women do this. We have to talk to others, and through this, small amounts of oxytocin are released, which elevates mood and the feeling of being connected to others. Perhaps this is one reason why you frequently overhear/see women talking to each other in the bathroom. We're wired for this! The group chat/virtual happy hour/hangout was a roaring success. We even got a little productive by way of creating a spreadsheet with multiple tabs for entertainment categories (tv shows, podcasts, music, books, etc) to consolidate all of our recommendations in one place. We are a lot of fun to hang out with!
So what I learned is this. Social distancing does not have to mean social isolation. Thanks to modern technologies and communications it is possible to stay connected. That said, I am nearly on the verge of deleting my Facebook app...
March 18, 2020 - Day 3: Is This The Real Life?
The enormity of this situation is settling in more with each passing day. The more I read on social media, and on the web, shocks me into near paralysis. What. Is. Actually. Happening? repeats on a loop inside my head. I know without a doubt in my mind that I am very capable of going down the rabbit hole of terrifying situations and scenarios. I'm basically a world champion record holder at playing the "Worst Case Scenario" game - so, the best thing for me to do is go to work. No - not like ACTUALLY go to work. I'm not leaving my house. But, I can do a fair number of things from home on my computer for my work. I could also, you know, like take down the Christmas decorations outside. We'll see how far I get.
March 17, 2020 - Day 2: Sheltered in Place
After being gone all weekend, and living through a sort of semi-existential crisis on Monday, I decided I would take stock of what we had around here, and make a desperately needed grocery run. I'm SO grateful our markets are still open. I had seen many friends posting on social media about the many items that our local grocer was out of, so I was not exactly looking forward to this trip. Sunday night I had asked my hubs to run over to the nearby market to pick up a yellow onion. He came back with the LAST onion. Limited numbers of provisions aside, I have been a loyal Click List shopper - or whatever it is now that was formerly known as Click List - long before this pandemic and I go out of my way to stay out of grocery stores. To see me grocery shopping is like imagining me wandering around a foreign land. It takes me a ridiculous amount of time to try to find the things that I need, or I'll see something not on my list and get sidetracked into a debate with myself - Should I get this? Should I wait? Should I get this? Should I wait? It's annoying and inefficient. So I strongly prefer the time saving measures of ordering online and stopping by to pick up my goods. This, however, was not possible for a couple of reasons. One, I know myself well enough to know that if I struggle with change - and the changing of items on my order might just be more than I can handle at present. Two, there are literally no time slots available for pick up today. It's best if I do my own shopping and get things planned for the rest of the week.
I'm used to shopping on a week by week basis, so "stocking up" is a concept largely unknown to me. What does one "stock up" on? I saw several 'prepper' lists circulating and I couldn't figure them out. Why all the applesauce and canned pumpkin? I could somewhat figure out the canned pumpkin as we use that a lot for Tango. It regulates his digestive system - and I've heard it works the same for people too. But, see, the only thing I know how to make with canned pumpkin is pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I'm not eating that stuff plain. But, then I think, maybe I would if I was starving. Maybe I would also eat copious amounts of applesauce. Regardless, these two items didn't make my list.
The propensity to "stock up" has left many shelves empty, or near empty. The entire baking section had been completely ravaged - chocolate cakes? Gone. Muffin mixes? Gone. Semi-sweet chocolate chips? Gone. The meat section was pretty well picked over, as well. There was some ground beef left - which is exactly what I went for. I felt like I had hit the jackpot! The bread aisle? Decimated. The rice vinegar? Completely gone. And, the condom aisle was pretty depleted, as well. (And for that, I thank all of my fellow citizens!) The soap aisle was barren, except for the surplus of Dove. I love Dove soap, but the truth is I couldn't find any information that would lead me to believe it was antibacterial, so DIAL it was! At least I got a package that was the spring air scent. To see all of these empty and abandoned shelves was something I'd never experienced. Yet, another strange feeling.
While the shelves at the stores are emptier than usual, my pantry is now fuller than usual. I can't help but think that while we are stocking up on food and necessary items for staying healthy while confined to the house, we should also be stocking our spirits with patience, compassion, empathy, and genuine care for those who might not be as well positioned for a situation like this. Let's drop the judgements. Drop the assumptions we might have about others. Drop our partisanship towards one another. Let's just choose to believe that people are doing the best they can.
I'm used to shopping on a week by week basis, so "stocking up" is a concept largely unknown to me. What does one "stock up" on? I saw several 'prepper' lists circulating and I couldn't figure them out. Why all the applesauce and canned pumpkin? I could somewhat figure out the canned pumpkin as we use that a lot for Tango. It regulates his digestive system - and I've heard it works the same for people too. But, see, the only thing I know how to make with canned pumpkin is pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I'm not eating that stuff plain. But, then I think, maybe I would if I was starving. Maybe I would also eat copious amounts of applesauce. Regardless, these two items didn't make my list.
The propensity to "stock up" has left many shelves empty, or near empty. The entire baking section had been completely ravaged - chocolate cakes? Gone. Muffin mixes? Gone. Semi-sweet chocolate chips? Gone. The meat section was pretty well picked over, as well. There was some ground beef left - which is exactly what I went for. I felt like I had hit the jackpot! The bread aisle? Decimated. The rice vinegar? Completely gone. And, the condom aisle was pretty depleted, as well. (And for that, I thank all of my fellow citizens!) The soap aisle was barren, except for the surplus of Dove. I love Dove soap, but the truth is I couldn't find any information that would lead me to believe it was antibacterial, so DIAL it was! At least I got a package that was the spring air scent. To see all of these empty and abandoned shelves was something I'd never experienced. Yet, another strange feeling.
March 16, 2020 - Day 1: Manic, er, I mean, Panic Monday
Getting up this morning was strange. Sleeping in was strange. Eating a leisurely breakfast in my home surrounded with family was…strange. I kept looking at the clock, and thinking about what class period it would be ordinarily, ever so conscious of the thought that things are no longer ordinary.
Prior to the determination of closing our schools, I had a few conversations with my students about recent events. The topics of discussion usually started like this: “What have you been watching, or reading, in the news recently?” The kids groaned, “CORONAVIRUS.” We’d spend a few moments discussing what they’d seen or read, which inevitably, and quickly, turned into questions stemming from their underlying fears and anxieties. “Do you think the schools will close?” “What if everything closes?” “Will we have to make up missed school days at the end of the year?” “What is the point in any of this?” And, the shocking commentary of one particular student who knew that situations were changing because her mother bought off-brand toilet paper! We grappled with these questions and many more, exploring options, possibilities, and potential scenarios. Some students expressing fear, some expressing a mild curiosity, some rolling their eyes in a poignant gesture of teenage arrogance. Emotions ran from excitement over the prospect of two weeks away to somber realizations about not being at school for two weeks straight. Yet, all of these conversations remained in the hypothetical bubble of “What if…” I don’t think any of us expected the decision to be made as quickly as it was.
The speed in which information started to change by mid week last week was something I’ve rarely seen in my lifetime. Reports were changing as rapidly as the pubescent moods that sit in front of me on a daily basis. It was impossible to keep up and it was impossible to know and understand what would happen next.
Now many of us have found ourselves knee deep in uncertainty and unknowing. Many of the wonderings from my students’ voices still ring in my mind and are amplified in these times. Still, I have no real answers. I wonder what my students are doing all day. I wonder how they’re staying connected to others. I wonder what this experience is like for them. I wonder what they’re wondering! These are basic things that I’ve known, or got to know, through my time spent with students on a daily and weekly basis. That is virtually gone today. So, for me, today is a very strange day – and strange days are all that I can see on the horizon.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Social Distancing
One of my deeply held beliefs is that you always show up for family. But, do you show up for family during a pandemic? Do you show up for family especially in time of a pandemic? Does anyone even know the answer to this? Raise your hand if you've ever been in a pandemic before. This was my dilemma.
On Saturday, I was expected to be at a family wedding in Klamath Falls. I was nervous about this and with each passing hour I became even more anxious. Not the typical kind of anxiety that I usually endure. No, this anxiety extended well beyond the ordinary, "Who is going to be there?' "Will I have to put my abysmal small talk skills to the test?" "How long is the reception expected to last?" "Will there be cake?" I knew the answer to the cake question and the answer was yes - yes there would be delicious cake because my cousin Amy was making it. (Shameless plug - my cousin Amy makes the absolute most delicious cakes I've ever had...and I've eaten a LOT of cake in my day, so that's saying somethin'. Furthermore, when my youngest nephew tasted said cake, he exclaimed, "Oh my God! Why is this so good!?" She's THAT good.) Cake, and Coronavirus aside, I rarely need a reason to skip a social event - but c'mon, it's family. I had to go.
Crossing into Klamath County lines, the sentiment around Coronavirus seemed to take a pronounced shift. Sure, they were out of toilet paper and virtually any type of paper product known to man, just like everywhere else, but I didn't get the distinct impression that people were all that concerned about being in one another's presence. The 3 ft distance rule was certainly not being adhered to, let alone the 6 ft rule. People were shaking hands, hugging, and generally acting as though there was no possible way they would contract the Coronavirus. I began to observe the situation like a keen anthropologist: "Ah yes, human A over there greets human B with a firm handshake - this action appears to be casual and consensual. Both human A and human B appear pleased with this greeting through smiles and small talk. There is no apparent soap and water nearby and there's a noticeable absence of hand sanitizer." Coming from Eugene, my take was that there was to be no touching - and keeping a sizeable distance between myself and others. The notion of sheltering in place was being treated as though it was a mere suggestion, rather than a strict requirement. It would seem as though the messages I was getting in Eugene were either 1.) way more alarmist than the messages given in Klamath or 2.) people were generally unphased by the recent precautions prescribed for the Coronavirus. Always one to assume the best of others, I honestly thought perhaps the concept of "flattening the curve" hadn't made it's way down there yet. Regardless, twenty-four hours into landing there I was ready to get my mother and get out.
While it was wonderful to see my family and to be sheltered in place with them, I was ready to flee the scene with my mom and sister. I was eager to get back to Eugene to hunker down with my hubs and Tango (the dog). After grabbing some toilet paper (not because I'm hoarding, because I'm legitimately out - can't believe I even have to clarify that for fear of people's judgements!) and digging into mom's stash of chocolates, we were ready to hit the road.
On Saturday, I was expected to be at a family wedding in Klamath Falls. I was nervous about this and with each passing hour I became even more anxious. Not the typical kind of anxiety that I usually endure. No, this anxiety extended well beyond the ordinary, "Who is going to be there?' "Will I have to put my abysmal small talk skills to the test?" "How long is the reception expected to last?" "Will there be cake?" I knew the answer to the cake question and the answer was yes - yes there would be delicious cake because my cousin Amy was making it. (Shameless plug - my cousin Amy makes the absolute most delicious cakes I've ever had...and I've eaten a LOT of cake in my day, so that's saying somethin'. Furthermore, when my youngest nephew tasted said cake, he exclaimed, "Oh my God! Why is this so good!?" She's THAT good.) Cake, and Coronavirus aside, I rarely need a reason to skip a social event - but c'mon, it's family. I had to go.
Crossing into Klamath County lines, the sentiment around Coronavirus seemed to take a pronounced shift. Sure, they were out of toilet paper and virtually any type of paper product known to man, just like everywhere else, but I didn't get the distinct impression that people were all that concerned about being in one another's presence. The 3 ft distance rule was certainly not being adhered to, let alone the 6 ft rule. People were shaking hands, hugging, and generally acting as though there was no possible way they would contract the Coronavirus. I began to observe the situation like a keen anthropologist: "Ah yes, human A over there greets human B with a firm handshake - this action appears to be casual and consensual. Both human A and human B appear pleased with this greeting through smiles and small talk. There is no apparent soap and water nearby and there's a noticeable absence of hand sanitizer." Coming from Eugene, my take was that there was to be no touching - and keeping a sizeable distance between myself and others. The notion of sheltering in place was being treated as though it was a mere suggestion, rather than a strict requirement. It would seem as though the messages I was getting in Eugene were either 1.) way more alarmist than the messages given in Klamath or 2.) people were generally unphased by the recent precautions prescribed for the Coronavirus. Always one to assume the best of others, I honestly thought perhaps the concept of "flattening the curve" hadn't made it's way down there yet. Regardless, twenty-four hours into landing there I was ready to get my mother and get out.
While it was wonderful to see my family and to be sheltered in place with them, I was ready to flee the scene with my mom and sister. I was eager to get back to Eugene to hunker down with my hubs and Tango (the dog). After grabbing some toilet paper (not because I'm hoarding, because I'm legitimately out - can't believe I even have to clarify that for fear of people's judgements!) and digging into mom's stash of chocolates, we were ready to hit the road.
Travel Essentials in 2020
Rewind
I went into the week of March 9th tentatively - apprehensively. After all, the weekend prior brought us a time change (spring forward) and we were slated to have a full moon and Friday the 13th all in the same week. For a teacher, that is usually something to take pretty cautiously. There are superstitions galore about how these factors influence the behavior of our students. Some of them more true than others - but the lore lives on and often puts some of us teachers a bit on edge. We knew this was going to be a week to bring our A game. Then came the Coronavirus.
For many places around the country, Coronavirus had already hit and was continuing to hit with with force. Oregon was just starting to feel the punch of the virus as the talk and news media about it became more and more concerning. None of these reports seemed to really find a home on my radar...yet. The priorities in my mind were the lesson plans to create, the relationships to be kindled, and travel arrangements for my cousin's upcoming wedding made. I thought I'd keep my eyes on the news - but really I (naively) thought this was all much ado about nothing.
By Wednesday, March 11th, I started to think differently. I was closely watching how Washington state was handling the situation, and alarming news reports were coming in. University systems moved to online learning only, major festivals and events for St. Patrick's Day were cancelled, the death toll from the virus was rising. The NBA suspended games. It was determined that NCAA March Madness would be played without fans. Major League Baseball was in talks about what to do about their season, and Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for Covid-19. Then, schools started closing down. The gravity of the situation was starting to settle in.
On Thursday, my students and I talked briefly about the news reports they were seeing and the information they were accessing on social media. A lot of questions came up regarding what would happen in Oregon, what would happen at our school, and how they would continue to learn if they weren't in classrooms? I didn't have any answers for them. But, I knew that they needed to start considering the possibility that a shut down could occur if state leadership made that call. By Thursday night, Oregon state governor, Kate Brown, did make that call. Schools were ordered to close effective March 16-March 31. Students were anticipated to report back on April 1, while teachers were to report March 30th.
And, so, that was that. With a day of notice, we saw our students off without knowing how or when we would next be able to communicate with them.
For many places around the country, Coronavirus had already hit and was continuing to hit with with force. Oregon was just starting to feel the punch of the virus as the talk and news media about it became more and more concerning. None of these reports seemed to really find a home on my radar...yet. The priorities in my mind were the lesson plans to create, the relationships to be kindled, and travel arrangements for my cousin's upcoming wedding made. I thought I'd keep my eyes on the news - but really I (naively) thought this was all much ado about nothing.
By Wednesday, March 11th, I started to think differently. I was closely watching how Washington state was handling the situation, and alarming news reports were coming in. University systems moved to online learning only, major festivals and events for St. Patrick's Day were cancelled, the death toll from the virus was rising. The NBA suspended games. It was determined that NCAA March Madness would be played without fans. Major League Baseball was in talks about what to do about their season, and Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for Covid-19. Then, schools started closing down. The gravity of the situation was starting to settle in.
On Thursday, my students and I talked briefly about the news reports they were seeing and the information they were accessing on social media. A lot of questions came up regarding what would happen in Oregon, what would happen at our school, and how they would continue to learn if they weren't in classrooms? I didn't have any answers for them. But, I knew that they needed to start considering the possibility that a shut down could occur if state leadership made that call. By Thursday night, Oregon state governor, Kate Brown, did make that call. Schools were ordered to close effective March 16-March 31. Students were anticipated to report back on April 1, while teachers were to report March 30th.
And, so, that was that. With a day of notice, we saw our students off without knowing how or when we would next be able to communicate with them.
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