"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human
mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get
worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the
confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things
better."
Share your thoughts concerning
this quote from King Whitney, Jr., based on our reading. You can even apply
this to how you personally have responded to all of the changes we have
experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Think about ways the pandemic has affected
ALL of our students and what differences we might see in them when they return
to school in August. After all, the pandemic is "trauma."
This quote caught my attention when I read it. I have always embraced change. As a child we moved to a different city when I was ten. We moved again in the middle of 7th grade and I had to go to our rival school. As an adult, we have lived in three states and five cities. I am not saying that there weren't some fears, but I always looked forward to the new adventure. At MSSD I went from 5th-grade reading to all 5th-grade subjects, to high school Spanish at the end of a year (with a 1-day notice), to 7th-grade math for many years, and then to 7th-grade science. Each move brought new excitement and a new challenge. I crave that. Now back to the quote. For a child who has, or is still, experiencing trauma, I can see how changes could induce anxiety that they would not be able to express or handle in a way other than acting out.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Covid-19 pandemic, when I first announced that March 19th would be our last day for a few weeks I had a student that said she did not want to be at home. At the end of the day, I asked her about it. She said she just didn't like to be there. I spoke with her privately and asked her if she was safe. She responded that it wasn't anything like that. When she came to class the next afternoon, she asked if she could talk to me privately after I got the class started. We started our activities, the class began working, and the moment I asked to speak to her she was unexpectedly called to the office to check out. I went outside the door with her and asked what she wanted to talk about. She said she didn't remember. I asked again if she was safe. She said yes. The point is, I know she's not the only student of ours that has gone home to a less than ideal situation. I know some of our students live in very dysfunctional homes. Some are lacking food. Some are lacking hugs, affection, and love from the people they need it from most. All of them are missing interaction with their peers; the very group that means the most to them at this point in their lives. I am sure most don't understand it. How could they? We get conflicting messages so often that I don't even know what to think anymore.
The quote reminds me of my life. I have encountered a lot of changes in my life. "To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better." Growing up in a low socioeconomic community I was always hopeful because I know things will get better. I know once I work hard and keep working hard things will get better. As a child I have lived in over 6 different household, not knowing what each will bring, I was always hopeful. After graduating high school, I received an athletic scholarship to Bethel College, not knowing anyone and where I was going. I packed my two suitcases say goodbye to my family. I knew that I couldn’t afford college in Jamaica, so I was hopeful that things will work out.
ReplyDeleteCOVID-19 has crippled a lot of our students. I have been told by some of our students that they don't like to stay home, because there is no stability, food, or anyone to talk to. I had a meeting via phone a few days ago and a parent was having a difficult time teaching her child a six-letter word. I think some of our struggle students are going to fall further behind academically and socially.
The quote is so accurate for all of us. Growing up I did not have a lot of change. I grew up in McKenzie going to school here all 13 years. My parents were married. We lived in a few different houses but nothing major as far as location change. We even had the same phone number all those years...now that is something you don't see anymore. When I went to college I had a hard time adjusting to Memphis but enjoyed the city life. I decided I belonged in a small town so ended up coming back home. Maybe I don't like change a lot but I do know it is inevitable. I just can't imagine what some of our students experience not knowing from day to day where they will be or even who they will be living with.
ReplyDeleteCOVID-19 has affected students, parents and teachers in so many ways. We have learned that change hits us when we least expect it many times. Hopefully many of our students discovered they liked school more than they thought and they will have a better attitude about being there. I think many are going to be afraid and we will have to reassure them we are going to de all we can to make school a safe place. School will be different and many things will change so all of us need to be positive and make our new normal an easy transition.
When speaking to parents as we have checked on our students; most of the parents I spoke with expressed how their child had missed school, teachers, and friends. Yes, I believe most students like school a whole more than they ever thought or would admit. This pandemic has affected everyone in every way. School will not be the same. I have been thinking how different the classroom will be--makes me a little sad. I like groups, I like working together and everyone touching the same materials, I like hugs---I know I will struggle but I will try very hard to embrace this new normal.
DeleteI have heard or have seen things posted on facebook about how some of our students are loving this time. Sleeping in, staying up late, doing as they wish, but I would venture to say that many of our stunts are missing school. I have talked to a few that I have seen out at the grocery store or when I called their homes that they wanted to come back. One or two may have even told me that they would not complain about going to school again (though I am not sure how long that will last lol). None of us are sure of all the changes that will take place when we return, but I agree we need to be positive and make sure we adjust without complaining so that our students feel safe and cared for.
DeleteI think change is inevitable and the reactions are varied as to how that change will affect you. We ask why change things if they are going in a way that we see as productive but there may be other factors that we are not aware of that are initiating the change. For us, as well as our students, we have to understand that many times change is out of our control. We have to be able to adapt and push through tough times of change and we have to provide our students with the tools necessary to do the same.
ReplyDeleteCovid 19 will have an effect on all of us. I know that there are students that come to school everyday and this is the best time of their day as it allows them to escape from challenges at home. However; when they return home they face issues with poverty, addiction, abuse and other obstacles that they must overcome. With the extended time away from school, many of our students may be at their breaking point with no real chance for them to receive help. There will be additional challenges with some students when they return and we will have to be aware of these issues and help students overcome these new traumas they are facing.
I have always said change is hard - whether good or bad. Maybe because I have lived a very comfortable life. I have NEVER looked forward to change. I cried my eyes out at my high school graduation because I knew life would never be the same and that was scary for me.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine what some of our kids have experienced while being at home for an extended amount of time. The news has reported that child-abuse hotlines are reporting major decreases in the amount of calls they have received. We all know that doesn't mean child abuse is ceasing to exist but means these children have no one advocating on their behalf.
Yes- I have talked to my social worker several times about this statement. It is scary to think about because the lack of foster parents and social workers. I had one social worker tell me that many times kids fall through the cracks after leaving hospital until they begin kindergarten. Because they don't out or aren't around many people before then. Now we have this extended break and those kids are lacking their advocates.
DeleteI have always been the one to become a little nervous with change. Probably because I too, as some mentioned, was raised in McKenzie with both of my parents. My home and life growing up was a pretty constant scenario. So now as an adult change tends to make me a little nervous. The quote mentioned made me think of all of our students. We see those hopeful and confident students embracing change like their next big adventure but- it's those fearful ones that struggle so much. I remember a couple of years back we had a slight change in our schedule for the day (I can't remember the specific details because I am getting old) but Billy had a hard time. We kept reassuring him that it was a small change and this is where he needed to go, but that small change rocked his little world.
ReplyDeleteNow thinking about COVID-19 I immediately thought about our current situation when I read this quote in chapter 7, "we are biologically designed to be in community. It goes against our nervous system to be isolated, and studies show that our physical health is dependent on the quality of our relationships." I wrote beside this quote- this is why quarantine sucks! I have no idea how this time of global pandemic will affect these kids. Them missing out on community, relationships, safety, comfort. Who knows what kind of lasting affect it will have. We will all just have to be very diligent to make up for lost time and be aware that when we get them back in the fall there might be some negative affects from it.
I think change is difficult for everyone...I can remember when I met Ms. Royle and we were talking about the library. She asked me "why" I did certain things. I said that is what "we have always done." Ms. Royle has helped me see things differently and "change" many things in the library.
ReplyDeleteThings will be definitely be different due to COVID-19. I have seen how several families have been impacted in China. When I teach online with my older Chinese students, they tell me how they don't get to go out or go to school. The last couple of weeks, I have seen some happy faces. So many of my kids have been able to go outside and play at the park or even ride their bikes with a mask on.
Our students will be impacted by COVID-19. Some of our students have not been able to see their friends or favorite teachers. We must be prepared for this "change." Things will be different when we go back to school not only for us but for our students.
I am usually a laid back person, but for big changes in my life I tend to bury my head in the sand and not deal with it. Like if I don't think about it, it will go away. When my parents moved six hours away two months after I graduated college, I didn't deal with it. So for several months after I was pretty bitter about it. Their move was the right thing for them and really for me too. It made me grow up a little and become more independent. It also made me appreciate my family even more. So now I realize that change is not always bad.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are able to return to school, I think it can have a positive effect on our students and teachers. We won't take advantage of the opportunity to go to school or work. I know for myself I need community. Just like what the author said. Even though days can be long, I hope we can appreciate it more.