I am officially done with being my daughter’s teacher for the school year. Thus far this year, it has been one of the hardest challenges, and I’m including being in quarantine. Digital learning has really gave me a new perspective on teachers and the school system as a whole.
On March 12 my daughter, Mila, was getting ready for track practice, but my dad was going to take her, he called and told me that her school system is closing “until further notice”. I was in a little disbelief.
It’s hard to be asked to change your whole routine in such an instant moment. It’s completely normal to be feeling a range of emotions, the kids feel it too. Their so used to school, birthday parties, sports or other after school activities and hanging out with their friends, without warning all of that has to stop. It’s not fair, they say, well I agree, but this is our lives now and we have to do our part.
When they first decided to close the schools, I thought okay, maybe two, two and a half weeks max because school is important and we’re halfway to summer so lets finish out this school year. Obviously that did not happen, Gov. Kemp closed schools for the school year, leaving parents, students and teachers feeling a little bit bummed. My daughter cried a little bit, I felt more overwhelmed, because now I am teaching (via Zoom) but have to continue teaching her and watching my 1 and half year old.
Teaching your own child is a little harder because they are very comfortable with you. They can easily whine to you about the work or figure out ways to get out of doing everything or somehow have you give them the answers. I had to keep telling myself that the teachers are having to figure out this new system as well, try your best not to get mad at them or the school for not being prepared for at home learning.
A positive about at home learning is now more than ever I know what my child is learning and what she needs help or improvement on. I am trying my best to take advantage of that so she can be prepared for when they do return to school. Also her typing and internet skills have vastly improved, which will help her in the future. My appreciation for teachers in general has grown, I know that they are trying to balance the digital learning as well as taking care of their own families at home.
To be honest, I couldn’t be happier that this is done. In the beginning I was all for homeschooling and Mila was excited too. As time went on, it was becoming apparent that she was missing actual school and her classmates. I have found frustrations that I didn’t know I had before trying to teach Mila. She is also in the dual language immersion program so we have had to complete Spanish assignments as well. I am ready for summer break all the way even if it’s summer break at home. We just need this time now to be creative and have fun together.
I hope that us as parents grow from this experience and will be all the more prepared if there is a next time.
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