With the Corona virus shuttering schools across the nation (and world), I’ve been hearing a lot of snide remarks that educators are embracing this as an early vacation. For the record, let me assure you that we are not. We are working harder than ever to ensure our students continue learning.

We are using technology in new ways to provide the interactivity so vital to learning.

We are finding creative ways to support students without internet access.

We are arranging one-on-one video meetings with students who rely on the classroom community for social- and emotional connection.

We are close captioning recordings as added support, esp. for students who are hearing impaired or whose first language is not English.

We are responding to students' emails days, nights, and weekends.

We are championing equity and access for all, knowing the upheaval students and families now face.

We are condemning anti-Asian bigotry and squelshing the ignorance that fuels it.

We are missing the casual chats, the classwide jokes, the loving teasing.

We are mourning the lost graduations, the darkened silents stages, the diplomas not claimed, the caps not thrown, the silenced cheers, the arms without students to hug. 

And we willingly accept the emotional cost of deeply caring about the students we serve.

In other words, we are here for you.