Rethinking Our Roles

Two weeks ago I shared my contact information - phone number, personal email - with my more senior neighbors who live alone. “Please call me if you need groceries or supplies during these times.” No requests yet, although my kids were hired to pick up pine cones in one backyard.

Last week we distributed mobile hot spots to families who do not have reliable or any Internet access. Thankfully we have limited students in this situation.

In both of these scenarios, I am rethinking my role. Now I am not only a neighbor, but potentially a delivery driver too. When we deployed the hotspots, I was technology support in addition to an administrator.

As we begin to facilitate instruction from a distance, we might also want to expand our role of “teacher”. For example, we may embrace an identity of “thought partner” more than “instructor”. How could we pose more questions and provide additional feedback within digital spaces? Clearly, this isn’t business as usual. When work doesn’t get “done”, there’s not a lot we can do. So what can we do?

First, be kind to yourself as we explore what’s possible. It’s going to take some rethinking of our roles in order to engage in these new ways of teaching and learning. Second, remember your role outside of school: parent, sibling, friend, spouse, son or daughter, relative. These are our most important roles and should be the priority during our time at home.

I'll be sharing more about our expanding roles during these times on my newsletter. Sign up below if you have not already.