My school is returning to teaching earlier than others. To some, this would seem to be good news. To me, when I heard the information I was shocked and concerned.
Part of the issue was that near the end of Term 1 we had put in place a logical and considered plan for Term 2. We had adjusted the timetable to best respond to teacher, student, and parent feedback. Teachers had spent most of the holidays preparing their lessons, adjusting units of work and teaching resources to fit the requirements of remote learning. This 'holiday' effort came after the most radical change in teaching that has ever happened in Australian history. This is especially true if you consider the speed by which remote learning was forced upon teachers.
I was frustrated by the change of plan. In some ways I was concerned for my colleagues, for yet another change that they were being forced to respond to with little more than gratitude sent their way. A heartfelt thank you only goes so far.
I was annoyed that all the planning for Term 2 had been seemingly thrown out the window. I was confused how social distancing wouldn't apply in classrooms, and why Australian schools were supposedly safe when teachers and students in other countries had died from the virus.
My leaders were very gracious. I emailed them my concerns, making sure to communicate that I understood these were challenging times, that I valued their effort, but that I was worried that teachers were being considered secondary to the needs of parents and society.
One called me within an hour of the email, the other provided a detailed response the following day. They provided context, outlined some of the decision making processes that had occurred, and invited me to speak with them in person when I was at school the following week.
After these conversations I took some time to reflect. The more I thought about my feelings, the more I realised that my concerns weren't entirely about other people. I was simply scared, scared that I wasn't able to adapt to the regular changes that were being forced upon us, even if those changes were positive.
This links back to the concept of my work persona.
Part of the issue was that near the end of Term 1 we had put in place a logical and considered plan for Term 2. We had adjusted the timetable to best respond to teacher, student, and parent feedback. Teachers had spent most of the holidays preparing their lessons, adjusting units of work and teaching resources to fit the requirements of remote learning. This 'holiday' effort came after the most radical change in teaching that has ever happened in Australian history. This is especially true if you consider the speed by which remote learning was forced upon teachers.
I was frustrated by the change of plan. In some ways I was concerned for my colleagues, for yet another change that they were being forced to respond to with little more than gratitude sent their way. A heartfelt thank you only goes so far.
I was annoyed that all the planning for Term 2 had been seemingly thrown out the window. I was confused how social distancing wouldn't apply in classrooms, and why Australian schools were supposedly safe when teachers and students in other countries had died from the virus.
My leaders were very gracious. I emailed them my concerns, making sure to communicate that I understood these were challenging times, that I valued their effort, but that I was worried that teachers were being considered secondary to the needs of parents and society.
One called me within an hour of the email, the other provided a detailed response the following day. They provided context, outlined some of the decision making processes that had occurred, and invited me to speak with them in person when I was at school the following week.
After these conversations I took some time to reflect. The more I thought about my feelings, the more I realised that my concerns weren't entirely about other people. I was simply scared, scared that I wasn't able to adapt to the regular changes that were being forced upon us, even if those changes were positive.
This links back to the concept of my work persona.