Lessons Learned

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BY JANE MYERS

Throughout spring and summer, there were a lot of social media regarding lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home order. Regardless of what your views were about the order, I am sure that you learned some things, both positive and negative, both personal and professional, about yourself and others, and life in general. In no particular order, here are the top 20 things I learned:

1. I need a larger Keurig coffee maker. I drink a lot of coffee, but being home with fewer distractions afforded me the opportunity to drink even more while it was hot. Therefore, I had to refill the water more often. 2. I may never go to Walmart again. I was no stranger to Amazon, but suddenly we became BFFs for both necessary items and the random things I didn’t even know I needed. 3. We use a lot of toilet paper when we are both home 24/7. Wow. Time to go back to work if for no other reason to save on TP. 4. I’ve only worn 4 different pairs of shoes since March 13, and I own about 54 pairs. 5. I kinda like the dog. To be truthful, it’s always been a love/hate relationship. Maysie belongs to the husband, and she always has. During the first few weeks, she stared at me every morning like, “Why are you STILL here?” We have now come to an agreement to tolerate one another. She still prefers to snuggle with the husband, but she will at least acknowledge me. I’m calling it a win. 6. It’s going to be a long time before I do another jigsaw puzzle. Yes, every afternoon it was Puzzles with DeWine (and wine, okay?). I even had a folding table set up in my living room for eight weeks. 7. I have really gotten to know, and sincerely like, some people via Zoom and House Party. These social media apps have allowed me to reconnect with elementary, high school, and college friends on a pretty regular basis. Some I hadn’t talked to in many years! 8. I miss my cleaning lady. A LOT. She is truly a blessing to me. 9. I love porch drops, giving, and receiving. This is a practice that I want to continue. 10. I miss hugs. I am the touchy-feely girl in the office. Seeing people anywhere and not being comfortable to shake a hand or give a hug has been hard. 11. Teachers will rise to the challenge every single time. In many instances we asked them to build a plane after takeoff. I was constantly amazed by their tenacity and perseverance in every aspect of their jobs. They adjusted over and over again.

12. I have never worked so hard in my 24-year career in education as I did those first few weeks. It was very hard to shut things off at 4:00 each day. I felt the need to be available to staff, students and parents 24/7. Likewise, my teachers were doing the same.

13. Our grading system is antiquated and needs a complete overhaul.

Big discussions will ensue this fall. 14. We learned quickly that the disparity in our students’ home lives and support was more evident than ever. We “lost” some kiddos through no fault of theirs, in spite of our best efforts to make connections.

15. Drive by home visits and phone calls by teachers, administrators, and school resource officers are valuable tools that need to continue on a regular basis.

16. Testing is not the be-all, end-all. I saw students show tremendous growth in so many areas via Google Meets, videos submitted for assignments, and connections made to real life situations. No test would show me that.

17. Likewise teachers were freer to do some real teaching via Google Meets during March and April instead of test prep. I saw over and over again examples of teachers trying new things and becoming more comfortable thinking outside the box.

18. Arranging the books in my office by color is aesthetically pleasing.

19. I have said if I could retire I would, but I don’t really mean that. Leaving my school without seeing kiddos again is painful. We did not think it was the end back on March 13. But I know I will see them in August.

And finally 20. I learned that slowing down was good for my mental health and that the anxiety I was feeling was completely normal. Reflecting on what was, and is, truly important has helped me to refocus for the new school year regardless of what that may look like.

Jane Myers is a 24-year veteran of public education. She is the principal at Defiance Elementary in Defiance, where she resides with the husband and the dog. She is mom to Abby and Mamaw to Hans and Hayden, who she missed hugging the most. She’d love to hear what lessons you learned at jmyers@defianceschools.net or via Twitter at @teacherjpmjane.