Stress seems high right now with remote learning, talking with parents, teachers, and administrators. How are you managing these days as a newly minted online educator?
What I'm trying to do is cultivate self-awareness. Know how I am feeling right now and respond, instead of reacting or avoiding. Harder than it would seem! As well, remembering to be grateful for what we have when thinking turns toward a scarcity mindset.
Once I got into a routine AND found a project to work on, my stress level is actually low. Monday I make and send a video of myself to encourage my students. Wednesday I hold a Zoom class meeting so we can check in and share. Daily I send an individual text to each student. And in my free time I have a passion project - Gardening.
I'm a little jealous that you are gardening. 10" of snow fell here on Sunday evening into Monday, greatly impeding my efforts to get into the garden to plant potatoes! I love your encouragement video and the structure you have set up for yourself.
I allowed myself to not jump into anything too quickly. I initially worried that I wasn't doing enough; I was patient and decided to wait for inspiration to do something meaningful, rather than something just to fill time. I started an article study with colleagues, and I learned to do stop-motion videos to post notes to kiddos. I'm learning to deal slowly but surely.
I downloaded this great app (for iOS - I'm not sure about other OSs) called Stop Motion Studio. It's really intuitive and easy to set up and use.
I sent out short clips to my students for something a little different. I'm planning to eventually use it for education stuff like word sorts - I think it would be really fun to pu together a How-To video using stop motion.
The highs and lows of new learning is inevitable so some days waning confidence is inevitable. But to be perfectly honest, I see it as a blessing as well. As someone who has spent the last nearly five decades working with our most fragile learners, I am beginning to view it as an opportunity to see learning through THEIR eyes and the challenges our learners face on a daily basis. I find myself soaking that in, even on the days when I am not certain I can rise to the occasion. I wonder how often our kids feel that way and if I can see that struggle from my own eyes, I can better support it from theirs. I think about that each time I struggle to learn something new that doesn't come easy... and that thought always pushes me forward. I really want to hold onto that idea and wonder if it's a conversation we should have in our schools. How can we ask them to move out of their learning comfort zone if we aren't willing to do the same?
Thank you Mary for sharing here. I always appreciate your perspective. And speaking of perspective, I think you make a good point about seeing this experience through the eyes of our students, as learners. Much to unpack from this experience if we chose to reflect upon it.
Also, thank you for your always-positive attitude, Mary! -Matt
Mary, you always bring calm, wise words worth reflecting on. So smart to consider how our own new learning mirrors that which we typically ask our students to do on an ongoing basis. Pausing to look through their eyes is sage advice and I see it as being a great conversation to have in our schools.
Thank you so much Ryanne and yes for sure. I even like to model this sometimes like when I take a surfing lesson (which is NOT pretty) https://bit.ly/2RL9h0J
I share this because it's so powerful for teachers to give example of how they struggle, (preferably in photo or video) and how they got past the struggle. Not only do we need to think about it from our side of the mirror but reflect on it internally. How did we feel. What did we try. Did that work. Did we persevere....
Mary...you're post and videos are so encouraging. Especially at this moment as I learned about a 1/2 hour ago that our governor cancelled school for the rest of this year. I needed to read that post and watch your videos to reaffirm my faith that although this is hard...I must put in the work, meet my kiddos where they are and continue to learn and grow alongside them. Thank you. I loved "Get out of the way" In the Northwoods where I live, we say that when sledding down the hill and others are in our path. And the last picture where you are standing on the board-priceless. Your smile says it all.
I plan to share your post with my dear colleagues. We could all use the inspiration and reminder.
I’m so sorry to hear that Ryanne. The not knowing is hard and yet we’re never read for the announcement that makes it real (we got the news in Tulsa early on). It’s like seeing hope in the distance but then that distance gets further and further away. I’m so thrilled that you’d like the video and want to share it.I’m a big believer in being able to see it in action! Sending good thoughts your way my friend
Not going to lie. Some days are better than others. And some days, parts of the day are better than others. I read a tweet recently that said something about this not being on-line teaching as much as it "emergency" teaching based on the fact that few educators had the time or training necessary to become virtual educators. I have to continually ground myself. Whether it be through getting outside for fresh air, chatting with a friend or colleague, or taking a break to do some baking. I am constantly reminding myself that my families are doing the best they can under the circumstances, I can't take it personal if they aren't engaged 100% of the time. Or even at all. What I can do is reach out multiple times a week to check on them personally, send letters to the kids, and just breathe...
Someone referred to this situation as "triage". The description feels accurate considering the inequities we are seeing with remote instruction. Your approach seems effective, Ryanne, for taking care of yourself and your students.
What I'm trying to do is cultivate self-awareness. Know how I am feeling right now and respond, instead of reacting or avoiding. Harder than it would seem! As well, remembering to be grateful for what we have when thinking turns toward a scarcity mindset.
Once I got into a routine AND found a project to work on, my stress level is actually low. Monday I make and send a video of myself to encourage my students. Wednesday I hold a Zoom class meeting so we can check in and share. Daily I send an individual text to each student. And in my free time I have a passion project - Gardening.
Mary Howard
Without a sense of purpose it’s easy to just flutter in the wind with no sense of direction. I'm so happy you found yours Julie!
I'm a little jealous that you are gardening. 10" of snow fell here on Sunday evening into Monday, greatly impeding my efforts to get into the garden to plant potatoes! I love your encouragement video and the structure you have set up for yourself.
I allowed myself to not jump into anything too quickly. I initially worried that I wasn't doing enough; I was patient and decided to wait for inspiration to do something meaningful, rather than something just to fill time. I started an article study with colleagues, and I learned to do stop-motion videos to post notes to kiddos. I'm learning to deal slowly but surely.
I'm curious about stop-motion videos. Can you tell me some more about that?
I worry a lot that I'm not doing enough, then remind myself that these are not "normal" times. Offering myself grace ebbs and flows.
Getting online and being available to students or staff feels like enough some days. Maybe that's all they need right now.
I downloaded this great app (for iOS - I'm not sure about other OSs) called Stop Motion Studio. It's really intuitive and easy to set up and use.
I sent out short clips to my students for something a little different. I'm planning to eventually use it for education stuff like word sorts - I think it would be really fun to pu together a How-To video using stop motion.
Thanks Carrie, I'll look into it. Sounds like it could be helpful.
The highs and lows of new learning is inevitable so some days waning confidence is inevitable. But to be perfectly honest, I see it as a blessing as well. As someone who has spent the last nearly five decades working with our most fragile learners, I am beginning to view it as an opportunity to see learning through THEIR eyes and the challenges our learners face on a daily basis. I find myself soaking that in, even on the days when I am not certain I can rise to the occasion. I wonder how often our kids feel that way and if I can see that struggle from my own eyes, I can better support it from theirs. I think about that each time I struggle to learn something new that doesn't come easy... and that thought always pushes me forward. I really want to hold onto that idea and wonder if it's a conversation we should have in our schools. How can we ask them to move out of their learning comfort zone if we aren't willing to do the same?
Thank you Mary for sharing here. I always appreciate your perspective. And speaking of perspective, I think you make a good point about seeing this experience through the eyes of our students, as learners. Much to unpack from this experience if we chose to reflect upon it.
Also, thank you for your always-positive attitude, Mary! -Matt
Mary, you always bring calm, wise words worth reflecting on. So smart to consider how our own new learning mirrors that which we typically ask our students to do on an ongoing basis. Pausing to look through their eyes is sage advice and I see it as being a great conversation to have in our schools.
Thank you so much Ryanne and yes for sure. I even like to model this sometimes like when I take a surfing lesson (which is NOT pretty) https://bit.ly/2RL9h0J
I share this because it's so powerful for teachers to give example of how they struggle, (preferably in photo or video) and how they got past the struggle. Not only do we need to think about it from our side of the mirror but reflect on it internally. How did we feel. What did we try. Did that work. Did we persevere....
You are modeling vulnerability, Mary. When the teacher/leader does this, it makes it okay for the rest of the learning community, too.
Mary...you're post and videos are so encouraging. Especially at this moment as I learned about a 1/2 hour ago that our governor cancelled school for the rest of this year. I needed to read that post and watch your videos to reaffirm my faith that although this is hard...I must put in the work, meet my kiddos where they are and continue to learn and grow alongside them. Thank you. I loved "Get out of the way" In the Northwoods where I live, we say that when sledding down the hill and others are in our path. And the last picture where you are standing on the board-priceless. Your smile says it all.
I plan to share your post with my dear colleagues. We could all use the inspiration and reminder.
I’m so sorry to hear that Ryanne. The not knowing is hard and yet we’re never read for the announcement that makes it real (we got the news in Tulsa early on). It’s like seeing hope in the distance but then that distance gets further and further away. I’m so thrilled that you’d like the video and want to share it.I’m a big believer in being able to see it in action! Sending good thoughts your way my friend
Not going to lie. Some days are better than others. And some days, parts of the day are better than others. I read a tweet recently that said something about this not being on-line teaching as much as it "emergency" teaching based on the fact that few educators had the time or training necessary to become virtual educators. I have to continually ground myself. Whether it be through getting outside for fresh air, chatting with a friend or colleague, or taking a break to do some baking. I am constantly reminding myself that my families are doing the best they can under the circumstances, I can't take it personal if they aren't engaged 100% of the time. Or even at all. What I can do is reach out multiple times a week to check on them personally, send letters to the kids, and just breathe...
Someone referred to this situation as "triage". The description feels accurate considering the inequities we are seeing with remote instruction. Your approach seems effective, Ryanne, for taking care of yourself and your students.