How good are our teachers? Seriously?
While the rest of us practise social distancing while working from home with intermittent trips to the supermarket to check if there’s any loo paper, our teachers continue to work in schools where the very concept of social distancing is absolutely laughable.
What would social distancing even look like within a school? Classrooms are places where, even in the best of times, teachers are having to continually remind their students: hands off, feet off. And many of the classrooms they teach in are brimming to capacity as it is, so the very idea of meterage between bodies is as impossible as it is absurd.
Watch: Our very own Claire Murphy breaks down your most answered questions about COVID-19. Post continues below.
And while the rest of us google things like: will a mask prevent corona? Our teachers are standing before their classes, saying the same things they’ve always said: stop chewing your shoelace, does someone need to use the toilet? And please use a tissue.
Top Comments
It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to work with the offspring of others . I’ve worked in schools in a variety of roles over the last 32 years. ( and often with unpaid holidays as many educators are on term time contracts). After a hectic day with 56 preps and my lovely coworkers, I am a little sad at the possibility of losing regular contact with our precious school family if schools are forced to close in the future. While I respect the choice to keep children home during this time I am thankful for whatever time we have left to educate the cohort of precious 4-5 year olds in our care. I believe the service educators provide is outstanding and that the emotional and mental benefits of a day of learning with peers is priceless. So many parents struggle to cope with 1,2 or 3 of their own children for a day confined indoors, yet teachers may have responsibility for up to 30 children and mange to conduct day after day of engaging and educational activities with less space, freedom and toys than those children may have at home. I have the utmost respect for anyone in a ‘caring ‘ occupation. I am also particularly concerned for the future emotional and mental wellbeing of all those who may have no choice but to isolate for any extended time. Thank heavens there are so many supportive parents out there and options to make any future home learning worthwhile.
I am shocked an appauled at the comments that have been placed on this letter. One thank you for the post. I believe that under these circumstances where we don't understand the severity of COVID-19, we are able to stand up and verbally destroy an article that was actually really positive to a profession. To all the comments here, don't hide behind a screen and hate bash anyone, teachers or not. I also believe that there are heaps of other professions doing it extremely tough, being laid off, not having work come in until who knows when, and the other carers, respite workers, nurses, doctors and cleaners that are preparing for a massive pandemic, its hectic. This is huge. You all need to be recognised. This is not a joke. This is going to take a toll on our economy and our living conditions as we know it. But this needs to be a time for community, one person suggests student to bring in soap because schools cannot buy it themselves, due to the general public buying it all up. Great idea! Lets put community first, lets share, lets give, lets understand that everyone has a place of value in their community. Teachers are just one small part of that, where they are most likely will contract COVID-19 from a student and currently the lowest age of a patient in ICY in Italy is 29 (Which puts any teacher at risk, not just elderly). So thank you for appreciating teachers and the fact that not all factors get heard, but lets not forget others arounds. And to the teachers here, this is not a sympathy vote, this is not sappy and assuming that you are wimps and need a pat on the head, this is appreciating your value. Maybe you need to appreciate yourself too.