The final months of this school year have been quite a challenge. You may be thinking, “I didn’t do enough... I didn’t finish this right... It shouldn't end like this...” Please know that you did do enough. You are finishing right. And since it's ending in a way that is focused on students, it can end like this.
What's more is that this year still had several wonderful months that preceded the hardships of the spring. The lessons taught, the memories made, the conversations that took place throughout August to March are not erased. In fact, they matter a great deal, and they gave you the foundation to continue to impact lives throughout this unprecedented time. What you did before school closure was significant, outstanding, and impressive. What you have done in school closure is also significant, outstanding, and impressive, even on days it has not felt this way.
Thankfully, working in education does not mean that your work matters only for a designated school year or during the hours that students are in the classroom. Working in education means that your efforts, your contributions, and your time spent impacts a student for their entire life.
No, the end of the 2019-2020 school year does not look quite how it should, but students will think back to this time and to them, you will always be...
The teacher who worked long into the night in order to educate children through a screen. The teacher who showed up each day to not only give lessons in a brand new way but to remind students that they are loved, cared for, and thought of during this uncertain, anxious time. The teacher who helped guide students through canceled field trips, canceled celebrations, canceled sports, canceled concerts, and so much more. The teacher who spent hours turning those canceled events into virtual talent shows, virtual career days, virtual celebrations, and the list continues. You’ll always be their teacher during the 2020 quarantine.
The secretary, support staff, instructional assistant, or other crucial team member who called on them to see how they were handling the hardships of our current state of life. The secretary, support staff, instructional assistant, or other crucial team member who asked for extra work because you wanted to do what was best for students and best for teachers during this stressful time.
The food service worker who lovingly made daily meals and later assembled weekly meal bags so that children would have full bellies and so that food wouldn’t have to be a worry during this already worrisome time. The food service worker who drew encouraging notes on boxes and bags of food so that students would be reminded that they are loved and that everything will be okay. The food service worker who strapped on masks and pulled on gloves because kids need to eat even in a pandemic.
The Academic Dean or Curriculum Coach who graciously brainstormed with teachers different ways to adapt their lessons for virtual instruction. The Academic Dean or Curriculum Coach who hopped on different virtual chats to check in on students and to provide extra support for teachers. The Academic Dean or Curriculum Coach who spent hours mapping out different methods and procedures for how to educate all children, transition students to the next grade, and encourage teachers to simply do their best and love their kids because that is what matters most.
The custodian who spent hours cleaning, wiping, scrubbing, and spraying to ensure the buildings are safe and clean for the people who must enter them. The custodian who came into work because their job is crucial to maintaining good health for others. The custodian who will pour their heart and energy into readying the buildings for students and staff to one day return for traditional instruction.
The principal or assistant principal who has not stopped thinking about the well-being of the hundreds of people who should be in their buildings on a daily basis. The principal or assistant principal who has put in 12-hour or longer days to not only determine logistics, such as NTI implementation, NTI planning, NTI grading, NTI pick up, NTI drop off, NTI conferencing, NTI meetings, basically all things NTI, but has also thought of ways to personally reach out to students and staff to make certain that their people know that they are loved and are first priority. The principal or assistant principal who has never experienced anything like this but is still leading the charge like the educational expert and phenomenal person they are. The principal or assistant principal who cares about their people, students and staff, first and foremost.
The school counselor, social worker, or Family Resource Coordinator who has not stopped reaching out to kids and families to see how everyone is doing mentally, physically, and emotionally. The school counselor, social worker, or Family Resource Coordinator who has worked tirelessly to make certain that kids and families have their needs met and are supported during this difficult time.
The member of the finance department who is keeping the district afloat by continuing to pay bills, process expenses, and adhere to a budget. The member of the finance department who is working to make sure that everyone receives their compensation, which is one less thing to stress about during an already stressful time.
The bus driver who has delivered meals and NTI work to children so that parents would not have to venture to the schools and could stay healthy at home. The bus driver who has driven their routes because they miss transporting children and they are hoping to catch glimpses of their kids outside for a wave and a “How are you doing?”
The school nurse who is educating and informing students and staff on how to be healthy and smart when everything seems really overwhelming. The school nurse who is putting procedures in place so that everything is happening in the safest way possible. The school nurse who is there to reassure students and staff that it’s okay to be scared and that we will get through this together.
The school psychologist, speech pathologist, or special education team member who is working to make sure their students are still receiving the same support and love that they would be provided with on a typical school day. The school psychologist, speech pathologist or special education team member who has been able to visualize how to do their job virtually so that students are still learning and growing in the way that is best for them.
The technician who has worked long hours with no breaks because technology became even more essential than it already was. The technician who has patiently repaired and fixed Chromebook after Chromebook so that students are not only able to finish their assignments but able to connect with their classmates and teachers through video chats. The technician who has kept the necessary equipment up and running so that teachers may continue to teach even in a pandemic.
The Infinite Campus expert or attendance clerk who is utilizing technology to make certain that we have the right information recorded so that our district may continue to perform at a high level even during prolonged virtual learning. The Infinite Campus expert or attendance clerk who knows the names and faces that should be in the buildings each day and who cannot wait to see full classrooms again.
The Board member who is working to ensure that students and staff are appreciated, valued, and taken care of during these challenging times.
The administrator or director who, for eight weeks, has not stopped brainstorming, planning, strategizing, and coordinating new ways of implementing learning and instruction. The administrator or director who is determined to see students succeed and teachers and staff thrive even in the midst of these unprecedented times. The administrator or director who is showing great compassion and understanding for students and staff because they care about them personally.
The superintendent who is leading an entire school district and learning community through uncharted waters. The superintendent who is keeping what is best for kids as the driving force behind every decision. The superintendent who cares deeply about the well-being of the people who make up this incredible team.
The person whose exact job may not have been listed but who is absolutely vital to the operation of Woodford County Public Schools. The person who cares for students and offers a helping hand to their teammates. The person who exemplifies what it means to be TeamWoodford.
No, the ending of this year may not look how it's supposed to look, but what this year is matters more than how it looks. It is a year when this team of passionate, resilient, selfless people came together in a trying time to do what is best for kids. And that looks pretty good.
