“I learned I can teach other people’s children better than I can my own.” ~ Elementary Teacher “I learned that I did not become a teacher to teach content, but to support students and parents. I learned that my students need more real life skills in order to manage time outside of the classroom...I learned that I belong to a group of people who are caring and, even though there were so many unknowns, we kept going and kept our students in a somewhat normal routine.” ~ Middle School Teacher
“For a lot of kids, this is their safe place, where they experience love, get fed, and just feel wanted and encouraged.” ~ Elementary Guidance Counselor
LESSONS LEARNED “I quickly learned how difficult it was for our parents to be the teacher for our students. I called families frequently to provide
encouragement,
tips
and resources but it was still a struggle.” ~ Youth Service Center
SEEING STUDENTS SHINE
“It was refreshing to remember
“My takeaway is just how resilient kids are. No doubt COVID-19 put a huge damper on nearly every aspect of their life, but they found new ways to learn. They embraced having to teach themselves and learn on their own and they did it without complaining or arguing.” ~ Middle School Teacher
in the first place — to be there for
“Some kids flourish learning at home online. There were students who tried very hard to withdraw in in-seat instruction, but when that changed to online learning, they improved dramatically. There is a world of opportunity to explore virtual academies run by public schools.” ~ Middle School Teacher
large part of why I teach. I love
my WHY, why I became a teacher my kids, help them through hard times, and remind them of their own strength.” ~ Middle School Teacher “It sounds weird for an adult to say that he missed the interactions with his students, but that’s a my kids. Not seeing them face-toface, not getting to interact with them, not seeing their responses to our readings, not being able to hold class discussions with them, not getting to experience their senses of humor — these all served as a reminder of just how wonderful the teaching
BEYOND THE BUILDING “I did some home visits, dropping off materials and food. It made you aware of their home life (bigger kids having to take care of the little ones, living conditions, etc.) and that they would be in a position of doing this for months…It makes you worry way more than you did when the kiddos were in your building.” ~ Elementary Guidance Counselor 48 HENDERSON FAMILY
. August // September 2021
profession is.” ~ High School Teacher “I learned that I love my job and that I am so glad that I am blessed to be in a career that is so important to our society. Even when things are not normal and even when things are uncertain — you can always count on a teacher.” ~ Middle School Teacher
