Friday Blog, Covid Edition: Education and Loneliness
About three weeks ago now, one family member after another was hijacked by Covid — myself included. Thankfully, though, not our daughter. We all suffered from various symptoms; some, the same — coughing, coughing, coughing until your ribs ached. There was exhaustion for some, and an inability to sleep for others. The worst for me: Body aches that pushed me to tears. Three Covid sufferers, all being cared for by one (thankfully!) healthy adult, who was supposed to be on vacation this week, languishing by a pool with umbrella drink in hand, closer to the equator and far away from any Nightingale duties.
She, to keep her friends safe, did not venture out into the world, unless it was to get our groceries or take-out food. Out of respect for her community, she isolated nearly as much as we did; however, unlike her, we could do it in our beds, under the covers. She had to take care of two households, three people — feed us, pay attention to our meds, call doctors when necessary, and make one visit to the ER with one of us. She never stopped and did not think of doing otherwise.
What she experienced this week is what so many educators experience — a sense of loneliness while discerning the needs of those put in her care. We all had the same illness, but different needs. I am quite certain exhaustion set in, but we didn’t see it from her. But, you could feel her loneliness, her desire to be hugged and cared for herself.
While most of us are in the classroom, it becomes a blur of satisfying the needs of others. You are truly amazed to find that the same subject results in 30 different sets of expectations and needs from 30 different students. You fulfill your duty alone in your classroom.
If the “trick” to fixing any technology problem is to turn it on and off, the trick to getting students to complete a project, test, or assignment is often just to sit next to them. You can even do your own work while they work. What trips many of us up when completing daunting tasks is the sheer magnitude of the assignment. If someone is nearby, not necessarily doing any of the work for you, but just creating the impression that the student is not alone… often the job is completed with ease. Many times, when students stayed after school to make up the work, as they turned it into me I would say, “That was pretty easy, right?” And they often said, “I just needed you to explain it again.” In reality, I never did any additional explaining; I just sat there letting them know they were not alone.
As educators go into our classrooms, we have got to know that we are not alone. We need more than a cursory meeting or welcome memo. We need presence, smiles, and reassurance. As much as we give to our students, we have to receive back in camaraderie and administrative presence. They must show teachers that we are not alone. Otherwise, loneliness burrows in deep, hurting much like Covid’s talons of pain.
Finally—three cheers for our Florence Nightingale, who put on her mask, kept her head low, and powered through ten days of intensive care to three very sick people. She deserves a little umbrella drink by a pool.