Summary

The author emphasizes the importance of hope as an essential element in the back-to-school plan for educators amidst the challenges of the pandemic.

Abstract

The article titled "The One Thing Missing From Your District’s Back-To-School Plan" discusses the author's perspective on the current preparations for reopening schools. While acknowledging the hard work and dedication of educators in ensuring safe in-person learning, the author points out that the crucial element of hope is often overlooked. The author draws inspiration from frontline workers who have continued to serve during the pandemic and expresses a commitment to fostering a hopeful spirit in the classroom. Despite fears and uncertainties, the author is determined to lead by example, promoting resilience, compassion, and critical thinking among students. The piece concludes with a call to action for educators to unite and support each other, emphasizing that the collective strength of the educational community can overcome the current challenges.

Opinions

The author admires the efforts of educators in making schools safe for the fall but stresses the need for hope in these endeavors.
While the author expresses fear about returning to school, there is also a strong belief in the importance of being present with students in a hopeful and inspiring manner.
The author feels inspired by the bravery and selflessness of healthcare workers and other essential staff during the pandemic.
Despite not seeing themselves as a hero, the author acknowledges the essential role educators play in shaping lives and commits to teaching through example.
The author plans to engage students with books for comfort and inspiration and to encourage critical thinking and compassion.
There is faith in the ability of school administrators and Governor Phil Murphy to make safe decisions regarding school reopening.
The author advocates for educators to work as a team, both locally and globally, to face the challenges of reopening schools.
The author is optimistic about the future, expressing health, gratitude, and a willingness to move forward with hope, which they believe students will sense even with safety measures like masks and social distancing in place.

OPINION

The One Thing Missing From Your District’s Back-To-School Plan

And it isn’t funding, technology, or plexiglass

I admire the educators who are working hard on my behalf to make in-person learning as safe as possible this fall. I am not trying to undermine your efforts. Please keep questioning, analyzing, and speaking up. We need your attention to detail, your honest perspectives, and your leadership.

But I want to add something to the conversation, something I think we are missing.

Hope.

If we have to be physically present with our students, I want to be there with a hopeful spirit. Sure, I’m scared to return to my school building. I keep up with the news. I believe in science and doing the right thing.

I also believe in rising to the occasion.

I am inspired by the heroes who went out into the world to help others while I attended Google Meets from the comfort of my basement, my backyard, and even my bed. While I was putting on cozy sweatshirts and leggings, the tireless nurses, doctors, and hospital staff were putting on their personal protective equipment.

While I prepared my online order, grocery store workers were serving members of the public who were shopping for many weeks before masks were required.

While I stood on my steps at night to join my neighbors in clapping for those on the front line, people were putting themselves in harm’s way to do the brave and selfless acts that merited my applause.

I don’t save lives, but I shape them, just like every other educator who will be in a classroom, virtual or traditional, this fall.

I am not a hero, but my work is essential.

When the school doors open, I’m going to teach students through my example to keep going, even when it’s hard, scary, and uncomfortable.

I’m going to hand my students books so they can find comfort, joy, escape, and inspiration in stories.

I’m going to have real conversations about reading carefully and questioning the veracity of every source.

I’m going to look students in the eyes and teach them to have compassion and to challenge themselves to be better and do better so we can heal a world that is broken in so many ways.

Reopening our schools will be no easy feat, but I have faith in my administrators, my colleagues, and myself. I also have faith that here in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy will change course if it becomes clear reopening schools is unsafe. After all, Governor Murphy backtracked on opening indoor dining.

Surely, having safe schools is more important than figuring out how to get steak from Outback.

As we plan schedules, arrange classrooms, implement safety procedures and prepare technology, let’s remember to tap into the greatest asset we have: each other. Let’s be a team not only in our school districts, but also as a global community of educators.

We can, and we will, do this. We are greater than the challenges we face.

I am healthy, I am grateful, and I am stepping forward in faith. My students won’t see the hopeful smile beneath my mask, but I think they will feel it, even when they are standing six feet apart.