Teaching in a Pandemic

     Where were you when you first heard of Covid-19? From what I can remember, it was a late night Twitter post that caught my eye. Here we are now and it has had major impacts on a global scale. Later, we heard of mass societal quarantines and other significant changes starting two to three weeks ago. For example, here in Minnesota MDE decided schools were going to stay open, while other states like Iowa were closing up shop. Wisconsin, the day after the decision MN decided to stay open, announced they would be closing schools starting Wednesday March 18th. THEN the next day Minnesota announced they would be closing as well. Talk about chaos through mixed signals!     Luckily, the principal at my school is a science guy. He has a background in physics, and has global connections due to his Turkish background. Interesting guy. Early on he pulled us all in for a meeting and shared with us that it is not a matter of if we close, but when ...

     I knew going from teaching in rural La Crosse, WI to inner city Minneapolis, MN was going to be hard. I knew taking this job at a brand new charter school would be hard. I knew finding a place to live, and move three hours away in a short amount of time was going to be hard.  I knew getting licensed in another state would be hard. I knew taking on a Special Education role would be hard. I knew teaching a kiddo who spoke only French from Togo, Africa would be hard. I knew reporting to CPS would be hard. I did not know teaching amid a pandemic would be THIS hard.     Honestly, I'm torn about writing this blog. I feel like it will be a lot of complaining. Full disclosure, it will. I think to myself I am not a nurse. I am not a doctor. I am nothing to the medical field. I am not even a candle to the Sun. My heart, prayers, and thoughts are to everyone influenced by Covid-19, Coronavirus, whatever you want to call it.. Just maybe. don't call it the Chine...