I’ve thought a lot about this blog post. What can I share with you, dear reader, that will improve your life? What have I learned in the past week that will make a meaningful impact? And what wisdom have I accumulated?
Um…I don’t have any wisdom. My school is on spring break, so I’ve had exactly two days on distance learning. And I have no coherent thoughts to share about the experience. Here’s what I do have: support from other educators. In the past week, I have been astonished by the amount of love, support, and comfort I’ve found online. So this week I’m collecting the posts that have made the most impact on me. Take what you need, teacher friends!
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Teachers Support Teachers
First, this is the quote that inspired this post. It came from Rebekah @lessons_and_lattes. And this was exactly what I needed to hear! And it’s proof that elementary and secondary teachers can learn so much from one another!
“It’s okay if you aren’t able to offer ideas for online learning. It’s okay if you didn’t create a 48 page packet to share on TPT. And it’s okay if you are totally and completely overwhelmed. Do what you CAN do, and let that be enough.”
-Rebekah @lessons_and_lattes
Another source of inspiration during this trying times has been Dani @positivelypresent. While this is not a teachergram, it’s a great source of real talk.
“If you are worried that you’re not worrying enough, don’t worry; you are. Worry less.”
“Make sure you’re not being self-destructive just because you’re scared or bored.”
Dani @positivelypresent
Another source of real talk has been Gina from @aplitandmore, whose Instagram posts lately have helped normalize my own feelings and emotions. In terms of teaching, she shared this tip to avoid burnout (which is a real struggle when you’re working at home and it feels like all there is to do is work):
“Feel free to create and start from scratch, but do not feel like you have to.”
Gina @aplitandmore
Next, I’ve already tweeted this quote from Dave Stuart Jr. But I think it’s worth sharing again because it puts everything in a productive perspective.
“Insane times are magnifying glasses. The next days and weeks will show you and I what is in us — and will give us many chances to shape that what….Small acts of love will shape us into people who are better when this is over; small acts of selfishness will shape us into people who are worse.”
-Dave Stuart Jr.
Last Words
Finally, to leave you on a powerful note, these words from Stephanie @writingmindset are a great place to start moving forward.
“I decided to be positive on purpose about everything that was coming my way because there are going to be enough people who complain. There will be more than enough people to point out all the things wrong right now, and only a certain few who continue to focus on the good. We need to become beacons of light for our colleagues, students, adn community even if that light is dim. We need to make sure we are loud with our positivity because it will become easy to become quiet and uncertain. This positivity does not need to be grandiose gestures or big actions. The power is in the moment we tell another teacher, ‘I think it is going to be okay. I think we are going to be okay.'”
Stephanie @writingmindset
If you’re looking for more guidance during this trying time, here are some more posts to help you find focus.
- Distance Learning Resources
- Great Blog Posts Pinterest Board
- Professional Development/PD Pinterest Board
- Teacher Reads: The Best of What I Read This Year
- Posts for Professional Development and Inspiration
- Teachers Inspire Teachers: Best Teacher Reads of the Year
- 9 Teacher-Recommended Reads for Personal and Professional Growth
Overall, the future is unclear and unfolding daily. We don’t get to know what comes next. But we do get to move forward. Be well.
Photo from Little Stock Shop.
