How I Feel About Remote Teaching

Number one, overwhelmed.

I also feel confused. Lost. Sadness. Fear. Anxiety. Shyness. Uncomfortableness. Loneliness (even though I know I am not alone). Apprehensive. Surprised. Discouraged. Insecure. Unsure.

These are just a few of the “feelings” I have around being a remote teacher. I think we all kind of feel like we are first year teachers again. So I know I am not alone in that aspect. I know that a lot of teachers feel these things. There is also a little bit of excitement surrounding this, too. I just can’t seem to be excited as much as I would like to be, honestly. I am worried I won’t be a good enough teacher this year. But that is just one of those lies that runs through my head and tries to tear me down. One of those “guns,” or thoughts I’ve talked about. Those lies; they are so strong right now.

I was taught that teaching brings challenges and it’s important for teachers to always remain flexible. I was also taught that when delivering instruction, you need to be excited, energetic, and get the students engaged in learning. I am afraid I don’t know how to do that part virtually and I am scared. I have also learned (not in the teaching realm) that fear is something I can’t get stuck in.

FEAR= Future Events Appearing Real. I have to remember that as I begin this school year. We all do. I am afraid of things that I don’t even know. So if I don’t know, then why am I scared?

As a teacher, I have learned way more than I give myself credit for. I forget I am a good teacher. I forget that I know what I am doing. Now all I have to do is do it remotely. I can do this. Yes there will be challenges, bumps, hills, etc. But none of these things are bigger than my higher power. None of these things have the power to take me down unless I let them. I love teaching. I have to remind myself of these simple things as we trudge through this new school year.

Don’t be fooled, I am also eager to learn new things. I have learned so much about google, and my “g-suite.” I have been doing some kind of professional development daily, learning all sorts of resources that can be used online. Today, I am doing a basic training on Teaching Remotely in Elementary Schools and it is for grades K-5.

So far, these are some of my favorites that I will be using this year:

• Google Classroom, plus Sites which will be my “home base” for the parents and students. On this there will be a Meet the Teacher tab, as well as a student portal, parent portal, calendar, and a virtual library. I am excited about it and am almost done creating the site. It will be up and running for the start of school.
• Jamboard- I am still learning, but so far it is like an online bulletin board that you can draw on, as well as pin pictures, videos, etc.
• ClassKick- Now this is cool.
• Flipgrid
• I learned how to use and navigate a students DIGITAL INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK. Real cool, y’all.
• Google Slides, Docs, Forms, etc

So why am I so overwhelmed, scared, unsure, and all those other negative feelings when I have an over supply of resources and a grade level full of amazing teachers? Because it’s just DIFFERENT this year. Different is the word I have been using to replace negative words. So, instead of saying that this year is going to be hard, or scary, or whatever it may be, I just say it’s going to be different instead. It has changed my perspective and given me a chance to sit back, observe, and learn. I am more open-minded. I listen better. I ask questions. I put what I learn into practice. And then I get shit done, y’all. I FREAKING CREATED A BLOG. And I am here talking about what is on my mind. That is something.

Just writing about this has given me a chance to think about the way I am talking about and dealing with Covid-19 and being a remote teacher. I have been so negative that I have almost shut myself off to learning new things. I was so set on being in the classroom, teaching traditionally, and then all of a sudden I was assigned the role of being a remote teacher. So I GET TO learn something new. I GET TO teach kids through a computer. I get to do these things. I get to do these things because I want to continue my passion for teaching.

I am so grateful for my life today. I am grateful that I get to feel and grow through things. And I am proud of the teacher I have become today.