Normally, in this issue I’d talk about state assessments, enjoying end-of-year events like prom, spring sports, and outdoor play days for the younger ones–and all that other traditional milestones for saying goodbye to a group of students you’ve been with for the past year.
But these aren’t normal times. And your school year has been anything BUT normal.
First and foremost, we are proud of your efforts to shift–for some in just a week’s time–to online learning.
You probably started with that sinking, overwhelmed feeling of “Where do I go from here?” (Trust me, that was a very common feeling for all of us!) But then you shifted to “Let’s do this!”
You’ve spent time collaborating with your colleagues, being really nice to your technology staff as you ask them for one more favor, and following administrators’ guidance. You took your lesson plans and activities and found a way to shift them to an online version. But, most importantly, through all of this, you kept your students at the forefront of every move you made.
Here’s an email Dean Mercer received from a fellow EdCat that the Dean wanted to share with all of you:
I know you are probably flooded with emails right now, but I feel the need to say “thank you” to you and the College of Education as a whole. I have had it on my to do list for months now to email and explain that during my new teachers training at the start of this school year, I realized that K-State COE did an amazing job of preparing me. I will make this shorter than I intended, but in the face of news about school buildings being closed I realized all over again how thankful I am that I am an EdCat. Upon first hearing the news of the rest of this school year changing, I felt great heartache. After a meeting with my superintendent, I realized that education will continue. it will just look very different! Because of the many tools, resources, strategies, and pedagogy techniques I learned from the College of Education at Kansas State, I feel prepared with the knowledge that I can be innovative and collaborate with my fellow educators to face this never-before-seen challenge and am even excited by it!
Thank you– to you, the COE, and all staff that have impacted my journey to become an educator and to continue growing as one! Forever an EdCat. 🙂
Mariah Hisle
4th Grade, Atchison Elementary School, USD 409
Despite that initial “What now?” feeling, you were ready for this unforeseen challenge. No, we didn’t provide a specific class on dealing with a worldwide pandemic that would shut down school buildings, but we did prepare you to be outstanding educators powered by purpose.
No, these are not normal times.This is truly one of those moments in your teaching timeline that will stand out above all the rest. All along, we’ve said teaching is more than just knowing your content. It’s also about relationships. Your students–and their parents–need you more than ever. Thank you for being there for them.