Teaching during the COVID 19 pandemic 2020 - Back to the school - at the whiteboard

Teaching at the whiteboard face

'it's a kinda magic'

Term 2- Week 6 & 7

We returned to school for two teachers only days in week 6 for preparation and to engage with the protocols for returning to work at Level 2. I felt anxious about being back at school, but within hours of being at school it felt good, to be back in our spaces and amongst colleagues.
Our Senior Leadership team had made good preparations for the return to work, and and due to the the initiative of a colleague there was a plan to make a fun video. The purpose; to welcome back our students. It was a neat thing to do - I loved being involved and I thing the finished item is funny and cool


.....Keep on moving...Get on up when your down

Amongst my group of friends it was interesting to see us work through different anxieties as we returned and started to engage with our classes again. I was surprised that my anxieties bubbled over ...almost immediately and I spoke openly about this. 
It was surprising though to see the post lockdown anxiety affects for different people. 
The kaupapa - to be kind - a message from our PM  Jacinda Ardern  - is so pertinent.


With the return of students in week 7, I also felt was good, their reactions - were a real mixed bag and it's what we expected. The work ethic of most kids was - out the window- but the week was spent jiving them along for the most part. 

While initially I was not interested in returning to school, having adjusted to my new roll as on on -line educator, I had an epiphany as during class on Tuesday- I had a great day of teaching. Everything went well, students were engaged and I felt that 'Magic feeling' that you get when students get your lesson and do the tasks and everybody is happy!
 During the week I had some difficulty working with the combination of on-line and following the timetable back in the classroom, I felt that there was insufficient time-  to look at the google classroom and to respond to the students work, and teach in the regular scheduled slots.
For now I will endeavor to teach using a blended learning approach. I am satisfied that I have created a range of resources that will be useful again. I am happy that the tasks set & expectations for student engagement are appropriate. I am also satisfied that the alterations to the teaching and assessment that I am making in this time are good. 

I felt that the disruption we have had can be likened to the situation that i was involved in at Rangiora High School in 2011. The disruption, because of a major earthquake led to a long term school closure and there was lots of uncertainty because of fear and worry. 
The most important thing was to provide a stable learning environment and to be understanding of each student's individual circumstances. 

My own fears have been allayed, since being back in the workplace hasn't been so bad as I envisioned. I was concerned as RHS is so big and there are such a large number of students, however there is plenty of cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer, and good support and strategies. 
Students are working at all different capacities, and as a collective the staff will need to continue to be encouraging and helpful as we guide and assist the akonga to focus on the learning. The decision to adjust of key dates for exams and semester course changeovers will help.
My hope is that we will also get a time to review what we did -as  it was unprecedented times, and as a profession, I believe that,  we conducted ourselves well. 
We learnt so much about the possibilities, and my hope is that there will be conversation about what we learned. Our sudden switch to a different delivery mode was by necessity - and I believe it was a extremely positive.
In Inquiry speak ...My hunch was - delivering lessons online will be okay, I can do it .... my discovery was - It was hard and challenging ...most of all, I loved the feeling that I was  capable and able to do a good job!

Reflecting ..

I was not excited by the thought of returning to school fortunately my attitude changed as the the two days of preparation were excellent- I could dip my toes in - and I found that it wasn't so bad. COVID 19  case numbers a dropping daily-  when we had three days solid, with no new cases, I realised that I needn't be so fearful.
The students were able to settle and engage in classes, and a number of troublesome students in the Y13 cohort have not returned to school- this was a big plus!
What went well..

Great to be be back in a purpose built food suite with good colleagues to work with and talk to. My teaching department is like a well oiled machine and everything runs smoothly. 
I did some easy cookery, my students could relax and enjoy the practical activities  without pressure. We could just have fun and be together again.🍗🍰😁
Being back in a routine is certainly helpful for following a healthy eating plan..
Feeling proud - that our country really 'flatten the curve'. We teachers can return, feeling secure.💐
More to learn about; 
What does the future hold, big picture thinking about the possibilities for change in education. 
We've been forced to do a trial, and now there is a lot of 'best practice' evidence to fall out of the experiences.
Personally I am feeling that there is a place for real - face to face interactions and online platforms to access data and tasks.