What might we expect for the 2020-21 school year? With the endless possibilities, stringent measures, and unavoidable conservative changes being considered, one word encapsulates what I am feeling. An omnipotent word that wakes me up at night and during the daylight hours, blinds my mind’s eye. Lilluput. A fictional island of Gulliver’s Travels, Johnathan Swift’s timeless satirical classic. Lilliputians, symbolic of the excessive hubris we humans often exhibit. A pride that in effect shrinks our very existence. Where structure and bureaucracy become too thick to even wade through. Impossible 10-point plans schools hurriedly are designing, so learning can be brought from on-line to in-person once again.
Opening Back Up
The motivation to open schools back up is driven largely by a a desire to allow students human connection. Some schools even consider an in-person finish to the 2019-20 school year, even if for one or two weeks. A risk some declare is worth taking, if this means children (families and teachers too!) might feel good about the world again. Safety of course driving any decisions being made. There are considerations of student numbers on campus, possibly just 50%. Question whether or not to utilize cafeterias. Hands on learning, but only if items are manipulated by single individuals and also disinfected at night. What type of masks are best? On-site COVID-19 testing, data protection and self-declaration forms. Of course, agreed upon social distancing requirements too. The list goes on.
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Is this how classrooms are going to look?
Image borrowed from: https://www.mrdiy.com/blog/145/Face-Shields:-Who-Needs-It-&-How-Do-We-Use/
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Confronting the Pervasive Uncertainty
One cannot help but wonder what this might not only look like, but what it will feel like? Though for many the motivation is to recover their pre-COVID life, a clear recognition of a changed world is imperative. One that we MUST embrace. No matter how strange it might feel for a teacher to keep her distance from a pupil, or try to read facial expressions covered a mask. So much is out of our control. Yet, what is, is how we might respond. Determinedly, as teachers we have a moral obligation to confront the pervasive uncertainty. To run full speed ahead in vulnerability. Trusting leadership.
Next Steps
Lemuel Gulliver, the “gullible” narrator, had several redeeming qualities. I would argue that chief amongst these was that he expected others to be honest. Amidst the current pandemic, we might benefit from a similar mindset. Further, we might add fuel to the fire, by simply envisaging the irony all around us. Gulliver was a prisoner to men no larger than six inches tall. What imprisons us? And, can we move beyond this and positively put our energy to use? Possibly, even to pursue levity? An upturned grin? A chuckle? No doubt, the world could certainly use a lot more laughter right now!