MOMSENSE

In honor of our classroom heroes

By Jennifer Wing

We’ve seen the stories, rife with accolades about our frontline healthcare workers, first responders and even retail store workers, all of whom have made it possible for our communities to survive in this uncertain time. Those accolades, of course, are well-deserved.

But I’d like to discuss other heroes, the ones who lift up our children on a day-to-day basis, putting them first despite a myriad of challenges this year has presented: the special people who work in our local school districts.

And I don’t only mean teachers, either, although that’s a great place to start. Imagine this: You are tasked with keeping children engaged, interested and up-to-date in all of the most recent, department of education-approved curricula - tailored to fit the ages of students you are teaching, the subject matter and currently-accepted teaching methods and criteria.

Then add to that the need to have such a task be accomplished not only in a traditional, inperson setting, but also online, with all of the variables and challenges that can bring.

It’s fairly mind-boggling that these teachers are able accomplish this, and yet they do so on a dayto-day basis.

And I’ve heard from fellow parents that many of these “humble heroes” also are checking in, informing them when their child is stumbling and guiding them with practical solutions to help them stay the course. (no pun intended.) It’s obvious that, for these professionals, it’s more than “just a job.”

In addition, teacher’s aides are the staff members that are often hands-on with students who are struggling - often with kids with developmental disabilities who have difficulties with changes in routine and may have difficulty with concepts like social distancing and masks. They are definitely some of the unsung heroes.

School administrators and boards of education have been advocates for the students in their buildings and districts - championing them in many ways, both small and huge.

School counselors have kept the students’ wellbeing a priority - ready and willing to help them with problems - both academic and personal - and guide them along their K-12 education and beyond.

I have had some experience with this myself, as my son, a senior at Fayetteville-Manlius, has had to go through the college application process in a very new way. His counselor made himself available via email as well as through Zoom calls with my son, my husband and me to answer questions. This is obviously someone who truly cares about a student’s future success.

Along with these amazing school staff members, there are other true heroes in and around our schools that are pivotal in keeping our children successful in so many ways.

School nurses and attendance employees have had to figure out ways to keep students and staff safe and in school whenever possible with ever-changing guidelines and restrictions.

Early in the pandemic, cafeteria supervisors and employees helped distribute food to children who relied upon those nutritious meals. These caring individuals have made and continue to make all the difference throughout the pandemic.

School bus drivers have masked up and made sure that the students on their routes make it to school safely. This important routine lends a touch of normalcy for the children in an anythingbut-normal time.

The maintenance staff have kept the schools safe and welcoming for our children while easing the worries of parents.

Coaches have stepped up and answered the call, taking time and care to follow the regulations imposed due to COVID-19 while, as always, instilling school pride and a spirit of competition, good sportsmanship and camaraderie so key in a child’s development. These coaches, even before the start of their respective seasons, have kept athletes informed of what is to come, and kept them hopeful and optimistic that they will play.

To me, that optimism is so important, so crucial, since so many of our children have had to face disappointments this past year.

My son is about to play football during early spring, an unheard-of time of year for the sport, with rules and regulations in place that we would never have expected. But he will play. He will step onto that field during this, his last season at F-M. He will have that experience, create that memory.

And I am grateful to all of the heroes in our schools for making such moments possible.

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