As we inch closer to the 2021-2021 school year, there are more questions than answers about opening schools safely. Some states have announced their plans. In August Florida schools will open, and students will attend five days/week. NYC schools are opting for a hybrid plan where students will attend in person 1-3 days/week. Many states have yet to announce their plans, and President Trump and Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos support fully opening schools. With decisions varying state-to-state, and time running out, teachers are taking to Twitter to weigh in: is it safe to go back? Below, these teacher tweets on reopening share how they really feel.
1. Our nerves are on edge
No one benefits from schools being closed and it has been a nightmare for students and teachers alike. All of us want to be back in our classrooms more than anything right now. We want to be with our students and our fellow teachers.
ā Robert Goldberg (@RobMGoldberg) July 8, 2020
Because getting sick or getting students sick is a real concern.
2. Our mental health matters
Honestly, Iām tired.
Iām tired of continuing to uphold this narrative that teachers are supposed to give, give, give until we break.
Going back to school in the fall feels unsafe and wrong.
ā Paul Emerich France, #MakeTeachingSustainable (@SustainTeaching) July 8, 2020
Because weāve been through a lot and this is hard.
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3. How is this going to work?
https://twitter.com/LaurelCoons/status/1280660992205209607?s=20
Because the re-opening plans arenāt realistic.
4. So many mixed messages
If school boards are still meeting remotely to discuss kids going back to school ā kids probably shouldnāt be going back to school in person only a few weeks from now.
School boards should be just as concerned about student and teacher safety as their own.
ā David Hogg š§ (@davidhogg111) July 8, 2020
Because shouldnāt everyoneās safety matter?
5. Take care of us too
š30% of US teachers are over 50.
š64% of #COVID19 deaths in the US are people over 50.Conversations about taking care of our kids going back to school have to include conversations about taking care of their teachers.#BreakingBold #ThursdayThoughts #BoldSchool
ā Weston Kieschnick (@Wes_Kieschnick) July 9, 2020
Because we need to be part of the conversation.
6.Our families or our jobs?
Letās talk about the elephant in the room. As schools grapple w decisions about reopening buildings, thereās a major concern not being talked about: teachers will be put in the position of choosing between their careers & keeping high risk family members safe. 1/ #edchat #teach
ā Miss Nikki š (@MissNikkiIn5th) July 6, 2020
Because this isnāt a choice we should have to make.
7. Maybe there is a silver lining
In all honesty, leading a school when all things are going great is fairly easy.
Itās when things are tough that true, positive leadership shines through. Navigating through opening a school year during a pandemic will be tough.
But we can do this, principals!
Letās lead!
ā Nick Holtvluwer (@NickHoltvluwer) July 9, 2020
Because this is an opportunity for leaders to lead.
8. What about all of our hard work?
I hate to get political on my professional twitter, but I feel @BetsyDeVosED needs to know I worked harder during quarantine than before to help provide my Ss with a high quality education. Iām insulted by the assumption of the contrary. #edchat #waledchat #remotelearning
ā Phil Strunk, M.Ed. (@MrPStrunk) July 9, 2020
Because we have worked harder than ever.
9. We want to get ready
The sooner schools decide on a plan for reopening in fall, the sooner teachers can begin to reimagine their curriculum. The ānot knowingā is causing fear & anxiety.
Blending Online & Offline Learning: Exploring Hybrid Schedules https://t.co/4J8JVrbJAH #edchat #blendedlearning pic.twitter.com/LRCMI0YQG7
ā Dr. Catlin Tucker (@Catlin_Tucker) July 3, 2020
Because time is running out and we want to prepare.
10.They just donāt get it
Could we stop saying āreopen schoolsā and instead say āreopen school buildingsā? Because there were a lot of us teaching and guiding student learning, coaching, giving feedbackā¦for months after buildings closed.
ā Jennifer Ansbach (@JenAnsbach) July 9, 2020
Because we never stopped teaching and showing up for our kids.
What teacher tweets about school reopening have you seen? Share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE forum on Facebook!