After Every Storm Comes A Rainbow

As we head into our first actual week of remote learning, it might be helpful to look at where we have been in order to properly orient ourselves for the task ahead. I saw this sign on my trail run today and it reminded me that we have all already been through a lot; but there is hope on the other side if we stick together in this challenging time. 

Although the specific timelines may vary for each place, the experience in schools was widely shared. It is the week before Spring Break for many learning communities across North America. Monday, information began to trickle in from our local authorities and school district leadership about the beginning details of the COVID-19 outbreak in Asia and Europe; however, this appeared to be a concern in some ‘other part’ of the world. We were heading into a break, and the waters still looked very calm where we lived. If there is one thing you don’t want to do as a leader, it is to bring attention to things that might unnecessarily create anxiety within your community, and given the timeline, we were thankful that a natural break was quickly approaching. There are safe school protocols and a regional trauma informed approach guide that give us direction through these unsettling times. We were aware, but there was no cause to stop. So, we continued on with the more immediate needs to maintain calm, continuity, and normalcy in our schools. 

By Wednesday though, the World Health Organization made the official announcement of a Global Pandemic, and this was no longer an isolated incident, and parents and teachers alike started to ask many questions because this had the potential to threaten us on our shores. The main question being asked was, ‘Are we safe?’ Out in the distance the waves began to appear a little choppy and the wind was picking up speed. The new directive for educational leaders was about being more cautious and not to venture out on their own with any opinions. Our communication needed to be in line with the new Ministry of Education, Public Health Officer, and local employer bulletins which were being disseminated daily. We were all learning a new vocabulary, and recommendations started to be shared about ‘social distancing’ and to wash your hands more frequently. Schools entered immediately into a time of new protocols, and all communication started to follow a very specific chain of command. The message to the entire learning community was clear and consistent - stay calm, we will be just fine, we will be okay, there is nothing to worry about. 

Thursday, however, as further announcements began to be posted about world locations shutting down indefinitely, anxiety and panic started to bubble to the surface. Parents were wanting to know more and some started to keep their children home from school, and many began looking into the viability of making alterations to their vacation plans or to cancel trips entirely. Dark clouds started to roll in, the winds were getting stronger, and the seas were getting rough with whitecaps forming just off the shore. For school leaders it was time to hold the line, remain calm, make sure everyone was well informed, and the feeling was that if we were careful ‘this too shall pass’. 

With much uncertainty building overnight about what would come next, on Friday - the last day of school before the break, school leaders shared the news to the entire learning community that there would be no assemblies, or parties, or school-wide activities because of the local health official orders to limit numbers of people congregating in one location. The focus shifted from celebrations to just making it through the day safely! The seas were rising and building force, it didn’t seem as safe to go out anymore, and we were quickly in what felt like a more precarious situation. There were no hugs or handshakes as the students left for their break, with much uncertainty about when we would see each other again.

On that final day before Spring Break, school leaders, teachers, and support staff had to be calm and courageous amidst the storm that was brewing. We had the opportunity to encourage and inspire each other to make a difference in the lives of students who were about to arrive and who needed us to remain positive. Now, as we continue forward, we need to keep a brave face when confronted by such drastic, sweeping changes to the way we normally operate. Currently schools have not returned in the same way as there were before the break. We are entering the unknown, a time of remote work and learning on-line. In-school learning is suspended indefinitely, but the education of our students must continue on. Educators are working tirelessly behind the scenes, reaching out to each other, trouble-shooting all kinds of new technological tools, and scrambling to figure this out. We are being faced with the greatest, immediate shift in learning we have ever seen towards a new, unfamiliar future for learning. 

Be patient, take it slow, one step at a time, show empathy and kindness, and have grace for yourselves and others. This is all new for everyone. When faced with circumstances beyond our control, school leaders and educators need to have a clear, articulated plan, and a positive mindset which enables us to be able to move forward confidently; but mostly, we just need each other in order to have hope to weather the storm!