Learning is all about making connections. Connections with, and between students, between classroom learning and real-life, and between our passions and our experiences (jisedu.or.id). It is inevitable after two weeks of lockdown and 6 weeks into Distance Learning, that we may feel some of these connections are starting to break down. It can be difficult to remain positive when the only constant connection in your life is with your internet.
For educators, Distance Learning seems to attack our very purpose- to develop relationships with students and inspire them to take control of their learning. Without the physical presence of a teacher, or other students to collaborate with, many students find themselves floundering.
From our homes, we feel helpless in supporting them, and can only watch the product of months of work and effort seemingly dissipate. It is often the children most in need of strong connections that regress when faced with working online, without the much-needed love and support of their teacher to hand. It is the struggles of these students that we find most difficult to accept.
When working online, we often fail to experience the joys of seeing a student struggle through a problem to achieve the correct answer, to laugh at an impromptu joke, or to be amazed at an original idea. Quite often, no matter how innovative a teacher’s approach may be, teaching and learning can become rather passive and didactic online. Without experiencing these moments of joy and celebration, the job itself can seem rather pointless, and we begin to question our own direction.
It is important to remember at times like these that our purpose remains the same. It is only the path that leads us there that has changed. Our students still know that we care, and they share the very same frustrations that we do. They want to be back in the classroom as much as their teacher. After all, school is fun. So, when we are feeling lost or disconnected from our purpose it is important to throw ourselves into the process. The work. The rewards will come later. Ryan Holiday writes:
“Every time you sit down to work, remind yourself: I am delaying gratification by doing this. I am passing the marshmallow test.”
Ryan Holiday
This thinking reminds me of an old Zen proverb that my friend used to carry as his mantra. “Chop wood, carry water.” In other words, just do the work, no matter how tough it gets, how little reward or acknowledgement you feel, just do the work. If you stay in the present and focus on the process, you will learn a lot, and hopefully, emerge stronger for it.
As teachers, we are responsible for leading and guiding our students. This goes without saying. Many of us do this without thinking, at the expense of leading ourselves. During times of upheaval, leading ourselves can sometimes take a back seat, whilst we aim to stay in the race and get the job done. It is important that as we navigate the challenging circumstances brought to us by the pandemic, we do not lose sight of our ‘True North’. Reminding ourselves of our purpose can help the trying times seem less trying and look towards the rewards of the future.
“The hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself.”
Bill George
These last two weeks in China have been amongst the most challenging of my career. Emotionally, physically and spiritually. I have had days of sheer frustration and days when I have felt helpless. On Thursday morning, I left a meeting so frustrated I called a friend and vented. I felt better, albeit briefly. Venting, however, solved nothing. Instead, I felt guilty for placing my frustrations on someone else’s shoulders. When a situation is out of your control venting does not help. Focussing on doing good work, however, does. When I look over the events of the last week there a definitely a few bright spots in the work, that reminded me of why we have chosen to do the work we do.
On Monday, the Senior Leadership Team informed teachers of some amendments in assessment policy that would be implemented in light of our online situation. A reduction in Assessment of Learning and a renewed focus on Assessment as Learning. With the pressures of formal assessment removed, we can be free to take risks as teachers and encourage students to channel their energies into their curiosities and passions. A small step, adding an element of fun to the online experience and a focus on teaching skills and character.
On Thursday, a Grade 6 student sent an email to the leadership team. Her parent had tasked her with finding herself a new school in Australia and she was seeking some support. An 11-year old girl faced the challenge of doing this alone. My heart went out to her. She was asking for advice, and at that moment, I was reminded again, that these kids need us. We may not be physically present and yet, they turn to us. The same day, I saw “A Letter from That Kid”. This is an open letter from a student to their teacher posted on social media. The letter reminds us that we do not know the challenges our students may be facing at home, and whilst we may be experiencing frustration, remember that they are too.
On Friday, we worked in Teacher Evaluation groups as part of our CIS accreditation process. My group was focused on Domain A: The Purpose and Direction of the school. I had prepared the Zoom session as best I could, and of course, things did not go as planned. Links would not work and many of us were called for COVID testing mid-session. The session, however, generated some rich discussion around the school’s guiding statements and it was clear that as a community we are indeed moving in the right direction despite the chaos that we find ourselves in. Much work to do, much to be proud of.
“Resilience and humility go together. If you are grounded in your organization’s purpose, it gives you the energy to navigate the storms. Humility also helps you to recognize that you don’t know everything, so in moments of crisis you reach out for help; you learn.”
Carolyn Dewar
Friday afternoon did also present itself to be one of the most emotionally taxing moments of the week. The school held a town hall meeting to discuss the current difficulties facing those who wish to fly home for the summer. Many have not seen their family since before all this began, and wish to return home for the first time in three years. Flights, however, are currently only one-way and are extremely expensive, re-entering China is also problematic. The dilemma is real. Fly home and see family, potentially being trapped outside the country and forfeiting your job, or remain here for one more year and continue to work in whatever form it happens to be when August rolls around. The conversations were honest and heartfelt, with everyone present understanding and respecting the challenges we are facing at this time. Whilst not everyone will have left the meeting happy, I was reminded of the strength of our community, and that our core value, empathy, may just be the most important value that we possess at this time.
Journeying:
Image: Stockninja at iStock.com
A Letter to Teachers From That Kid
Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research: Forbes.com
Empathy Rules: Harvard Business Review
Leadership Lessons From The World’s Best CEOs: Mckinsey.com
