Today is World Teacher’s Day (Oct 5). Here’s How We Can Support Teachers.
Written by Danielle Lyn
Oxford Dictionary defines adaptability as “the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.” Eighteen months ago the pandemic shuttered life as we knew it. The word adaptability has become synonymous with “adjusting to the age of Coronavirus.” When the world went into lockdown the “tele” redefined our lives. Life “at a distance” became a necessity as entire industries shifted from in-person to online.
Deemed essential frontline workers, the education sector was quick to adapt. The urgent responsibility was placed on millions of educators to continue teaching in a global health crisis. Teachers met the challenge with flexibility, creativity, innovation, and immersion in tech-centric learning. Teachers across the world integrated their curriculum with technology, becoming proficient with video conferencing and virtual classrooms. Educators worked overtime rewriting lesson plans, recording instructional videos, drafting supplementary materials, sharing resources, and altering availability to counsel and conference with parents and students adapting to homeschooling.
I spent the first two months of lockdown indoors with family watching this very scenario play out. My parents’ dining room transitioned into a backdrop for the virtual gathering place of my mother’s second grade classroom. The dining table became the stage for her remote class. A colorful table cloth was adorned and out of storage came the trifold room divider, awakened from the dark ages of my first college apartment. Up went letter and number cutouts and colorful animal illustrations.
Every morning she greeted her class with a smile on her face and a new lesson for her students. She and her peers adapted. They continue to do so now, another school year into the pandemic and transitioning to the return of in-person learning.
The two decades my mother has spent working in the public school system I have observed the tireless (and all too often) thankless efforts made by teachers, day in and day out. Teachers are the backbone of our society. Despite the fact that public educators are woefully underpaid they remain the bearers of responsibility of our future generations. Their profession paves the pathway for all other professions.
Here’s how we can support teachers:
Appreciation and acknowledgement of educators’ dedication—In spite of low salaries, standardized testing benchmarks, and high work loads they continue to teach on the frontlines risking their lives through the pandemic.
Collaboration and communication—The keys to progress for students, parents, and teachers shifting between in person and virtual learning are collaboration and communication. These together allow for individualized planning for the success of each student.
Donation and replenishment of classroom supplies—This helps offset significant out-of-pocket expenses absorbed by teachers who supplement necessary supplies throughout the school year out of their own pockets. Essential items such as printer ink, paper, office supplies, cleaning supplies, and healthy snacks create better learning environments for all. You can donate via Amazon Wishlist, Donors Choose, local PTO’s, or dropping donations/gift cards at a local school’s front office.
You may not have children but supporting teachers contributes to bettering our future generations. My hope is that each of us have experienced the lasting impact of a teacher who helped shape our lives. May we honor them by supporting the dedication of educators committed to fostering growth, creativity, and innovation by providing the tools and knowledge for those that will grow up to change our world.
*Note from the author: This article is dedicated to my mother, her 2nd Grade team of teachers, and all educators— thank you for all you do!
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