Make Your Peace

Friendly reminder that not all teachers are getting time off, and are not salary, so if schools close we will not get paid. Often times, I am overlooked as an educator because I don’t teach K-12 and that grates on me every so often. But never as much as it is right now. I have continued to work, as the number of cases skyrocket in my state.

I have been grappling with how to teach my kids about what is happening in the world around them while also creating a safe space amongst the chaos and uncertainty. First, of course, is the obvious, hygiene and hand washing practices, how germs spread, and what we can do to stay healthy. But after that it becomes much more confusing, for them and myself. These kids are between the ages of 3-5 and they are much more inquisitive and intelligent than most people give them credit for.

For now I have settled for asking parents what they’ve told the kids about it - barely anything - and working from there. I am not their parent and that limits me in what I can and can not say. But I am trying to give them the answers their looking for because that’s what they deserve.

I am also busting my ass to make sure my classroom, their toys, their bathroom, and personal spaces (cubbies, beds, etc) are clean and safe for them to use. It has been incredibly stressful but just knowing these kids, most of which have to still attend school because their parents need to work, are safe and still having fun.

This week, as ironic as it is, is rainbow week. We have learned what a rainbow is, worked with colors, and weather. With the help of the kids, we have decorated the room with rainbows and have made our own bright spot in a rather dismal world. My heart goes out to all the other childcare workers still out there working and caring for other people’s children so that our communities can continue to function.