Opinion: An open letter to educators
An open letter to educators:
I want to make sure I take a moment to thank you. Thank you for all of the extra time and work this situation is asking of you. We see how dedicated you are to equipping us well. We see you and appreciate you.
Having said that, there’s something that I will ask of you.
Give us time to mourn.
Please give us time and space to mourn. Be gracious to students as we mourn the loss of time. The loss of relationships. The loss of community. The loss of routine. The loss of a home. Though it may seem like we often complain and begrudgingly walk through our days as students, we are mourning so many losses. Many of us are losing the most stable and constant part of our lives. These places and faces are what we know. They are family beyond family to us. These environments and moments have become our siblings, our parents, our children, our entire worlds.
In the loss of an immediate family member, no one would expect a student to perform at regular capacity. No one would expect the same level of focus or drive or work ethic. Loss changes people. Grief takes its toll on a body, mind and soul. Because of the nature of this disease, some students will likely experience the physical loss of a loved one. And we will all support and encourage and empathize and love them through it. But I ask that you not ignore the loss we are all facing.
I’ve heard conversations from many educators about possible leniency in grading of assignments. And I am grateful that educators understand the difficulty of completing typical assignments, projects, tests, etc. through a virtual system. But I am asking for more than just leniency.
I’m asking for a gentler approach than most educators are used to or would even prefer. Not because we want to get off easy and have an early start to summer shenanigans. Not because we are a lazy generation unwilling to work hard. I ask because our hearts are weary and confused and trying to cling to hope and sanity and some sort of normalcy as we lose precious things that we can’t easily get back. When most parts of our world at this point are unstable and unknown, please understand.
Be kind. Be gentle. Give us time.
