I just wanted to say, however these past few weeks have been going just know that you're okay. This isn't what we signed up for - by any means - BUT we did sign up to be role models for our students; even through adversity. We are all overwhelmed and in disbelief that the remainder of the school year is far different from how we envisioned it. There are no more motherly hugs, random stories from your kiddos in the middle of a lesson, no more light bulbs going off, or end of the year celebrations... they just don't exist anymore. Instead, we are attempting to do the impossible because our job is to adjust to the situation at hand. Our daily lives now become a conference call with at least 100 kids or more.Kids who may not have a set bed time, kids who might not get three meals a day now, or even kids who have zero clue on how to work a computer for that matter. What could possibly go wrong here, right?

In light of all of this, know that it will be okay - view this as a challenge. As educators, we challenge our students every time they walk through our classroom door and we expect them to succeed. Now us teachers have been given a challenge walking into our own living rooms - and might I add, are expected to succeed - which we will.

If you have kids of your own and they want to sit on your lap though that zoom conference - let them. If you need to stress eat a whole bag of cheez-its while you're trying to spiral review your priority standards - munch away! If your dog is constantly squeaking that loud, obnoxious toy - let them play. If you don't have any clean pants to wear for your 9:00 a.m. literacy circle - by all means wear your pajama bottoms (its not like they will see your pants anyways). If you have no earthly clue on what to do next - just check in with your students because they are people too; I promise you that MLA format can be re-taught later once you figure all of this out.

The point of the matter is this - even if kids don't learn a single thing through this Digital Learning experiment, IT IS GOING TO BE OKAY!

"How can you say this, Miss Gillespie?" "I thought educators lived and breathed curriculum!" "I bet it's nice to have summer break early." People are going to say hateful and ignorant things... ignore it. Keep in mind that they have never seen your masterpiece of a classroom - nor would they attempt filling your shoes. When people say or post these negative things regarding educators, just remember your WHY.

This is why: Just by showing up, simply checking in, asking how their days are going, by doing the freaking IMPOSSIBLE - you have already taught them the things that really matter!

You've taught them that people have to be flexible because things happen - good or bad.

You've taught them that people will show up for them even when it seems a disaster.

You've taught them that community matters - that we work together to take care of our people (even if its delivering a bagged lunch).

You've taught them that good people still exist in this evil world that we live in; that even when the world throws scary things our way, people can still be good.

You've taught them love (tough-love for some), but they know that you care about them as people, not just students.

You have loved them enough to be there - and that is all any of us can do, is love each other through times such as this. Our students will be okay at the end of this, because of what we have taught them all year long. So - go make another pot of coffee and put on your house shoes and be present for your students as a person first - and teacher second.

Always supportive,

Your Teacher Friend