Principle #6 – Move Into ACTION!
My 8-year-old grandson has the most amazing teacher. She has a Zoom session with her students twice a week to stay connected with them. She has a fun game to play, and then she chats with them. The students can visit with each other too. She has a Zoom session with the parents every other week, as well. It’s so touching to watch her with her students. The love she shares with them is just priceless. I can’t imagine the sadness she feels to not be able to hug her students.
In her daily lessons, she records videos of herself reading stories and teaching lessons. My grandson says he feels comforted when he sees her. During the school year, she has two guinea pigs in her classroom that her students play with. Last week she shared a video of the guinea pigs saying hi. How awesome is that! I know my grandson was thrilled to see them. It’s the little things she does that makes every day a little bit easier for everyone.
“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” – Bill Gates
Teachers across the United States, pre-school through college, are doing an amazing job by virtually engaging with their students. I’m so impressed with the creativity of their lessons to keep students coming back to their computers every day. Not only are they preparing lessons for online learning, but they are also creating written lessons for students without laptops.
Having lessons online takes the coordination and cooperation of the whole school district. The bus drivers deliver food, textbooks, and lessons every day. Many school administrators are teachers too. And are instructing children in homeless shelters and detention centers. The love and care they have for students in their district are astounding.
Teaching is a tough job with many challenges…in the best of times! It takes someone special to give love and support so selflessly while teaching our nation’s children. And they do this every day! They are definitely our unsung heroes!
I applaud all the parents, grandparents, and anyone else picking up the duties of homeschooling. It can be difficult because many of us are still working, and it may not be something we enjoy doing. I know we will never fill the shoes of our wonderful teachers. But we’re all making a difference. Remember, we don’t have to be perfect. We just need to engage and show our love and support the best way we can.
National Teacher Appreciation Week is Monday, May 4th through Friday, May 8th. Please thank your children’s teachers, school administrators, and support staff. I think they deserve our thanks every day, not just one week each year.
If you don’t have children, send appreciation emails to school district offices and schools in your neighborhood. They deserve appreciation every day too! And don’t forget to share your appreciation for the parents and grandparents that are instructing children at home right now. We are fortunate to have so many people chipping in to give our children the best education we can. After all, they are our future. Thank you to all our heroes! Stay safe!
Freedom is possible!
Love,
Deb