Or as I like to call it, 10 Ways to Keep It Moving during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020.
I am a week into supporting learning from home for the students in my classrooms and working from home for my teachers, and I can say with 100% certainty that this whole endeavor is a work in progress. Everyone’s first focus should be, and as far as I’m concerned, is, on staying healthy and taking care of the health and well-being of those surrounding, but past that the focus is on keeping it together. Keeping life moving, keeping daily routines going, and keeping a sense of calm in place for those that rely on us- families, students, students’ families- the list goes on!
I’ve had great fun posting the choicest of memes surrounding teaching and learning from home during this outbreak (at the Special Ed Safari Facebook page) but the reality is, we are all, families, teachers, and school staff alike, in uncharted territory. We are supporting students and families in new ways and are ourselves trying to adapt in real time. If there was every a time to be gentle, this is it!
Circumstances are changing seemingly by the minute, but the need to keep it moving remains! Here are 10 Ways to Keep it Moving during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020: 1. Take a deep breath. Then take another one. Speaking from my own personal experience, I found out that schools were going to be closed in my state (statewide) the same time everyone else did on the news. Information is coming at us so quickly we can’t be ready for everything and expecting ourselves to respond perfectly isn’t reasonable or fair.
2. If you’re working from home, get dressed. I’ve encountered this tip in more than one place and I can say for myself that it does make a difference!
3. Look for silver linings, even if you have to look really, really hard. If you have kids at home- extra quality time! If you have more free time and are feeling stressed- it’s an opportunity to learn new things! If you’re still going (safely, I hope) to work- you are still working!
4. However you are feeling, though, is okay. It’s really, really hard to be cheerful all the time especially during uncharted circumstances like this! Also, some people have gotten really crappy news lately- illness, job loss, and more- and if they are not finding a lot to be happy about that’s okay too.
5. Remember that finished is better than perfect. I’m a week into working from home, and mostly my job revolves around making sure deadlines get met and that things proceed as normally (ha!) as possible. What that means is that things have to get moved around, flexibility is key, and sometimes we all have to give in on things that we’d rather not budge on. This applies to students too! They are engaging with material as best they can- some people will have quiet places to study and some will not, some will have lots of headspace to engage in academic pursuits and some will not, and some will answer every question perfectly and some will not. I think it’s important to remember that we are engaging students where they are, and we may not have all the information about that right away, or ever. Finished is better than perfect.
6. Block off time for other, fun things. This may not be the time to start a brand new hobby or branch out in a totally new direction creatively (although you totally can if you want to, go get it) but make time every day to do something that’s fun and safe- read a book, listen to a podcast, use an app to learn a language or other new skill, try a new recipe, the list goes on. Find some space in your brain that isn’t devoted to current events or work.
7. Let things go. It is possible, just possible, that some people may not be as nice or as courteous as they could be right now. It is also possible that some of these people may be your students, your coworkers, or your students’ families. Let it go. Everyone is doing the best they can.
8. Get outside. Even in your driveway or parking lot. Be in the fresh air for a few minutes. Breathe in and out. It makes a difference!
9. Drink water. Isn’t this just good advice all the time? Plus, being well hydrated helps support your overall health, and we are all concerned with our health these days. I’m just saying. I’m no doctor but it seems like relaxing at home with a class of water certainly can’t make things worse right now, am I right?
10. It will be okay. Truth is, we don’t know what the future holds. We know that people are working hard to keep everyone as healthy as possible and to protect those among us that are most vulnerable. We all want things to go back to normal and for regular daily life to resume. Let’s work together to make that happen.
What would you add to the list? How are you keeping it moving during COVID-19?
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