Pandemic Panic

Teachers, Students, and Parents Face Unforeseen Challenges

By Victoria Pike ‘20

Throughout my journey of becoming an educator, I have seen and wish to bring to light the immense struggles teachers now face due to Covid-19. This is no snow day. States are wondering what policies to send down the pipe, while individual cities and towns are deciding what the best option is, based on their needs.

Some educators don't even feel like teachers, as meeting face-to-face on Zoom is a far cry from  interactions in the classroom. Yet it is now their lives on the line; many teachers do not want to endanger their lives, or their loved ones’ lives.

We walk on eggshells, waiting to hear if school doors will reopen and we’ll go back to school shopping, or stay in sweat pants for the year. Among the pre-school set, parents are finding safety protocols so restrictive they don't know what to do, says Amy Brodbeck, a daycare provider: “Parents are not even allowed to come into the center to see what their children are doing."

What about the elementary kids with parents working? How can parents teach and work with everything else going on in their lives?

There are still so many questions unanswered.

Bathroom breaks, lunch routines, and social interaction are some of the thoughts racing around my mind as my head hits the pillow. Academics are the biggest concern. Many students can't learn online. What about students with special needs? What will happen to them? How can we interact, teach, inspire, encourage, and love our students from afar?

What about all those special moments that we should be celebrating? Birthdays, holidays, everything that makes us unique will have to be celebrated differently. As I student teach this semester, I hope to create a safe environment to continue the love of learning in this scary time.

Peabody, Massachusetts native Victoria Pike is completing her Master’s degree in Special Education, and will be graduating in December.

RELATED:

COVID-19 In the Context of Life on Campus

Germs 101: How to Control Exposure and Stop the Spread