3 Ways Teachers Can Plan For Uncertainty
The following is a guest post from Dr. Jacie Maslyk.
Are you ready to start the new school year? What do you have planned? Have you mapped out projects to pursue? Do you have lessons already created? This may be the most difficult year to plan for since so many uncertainties exist. In a field where planning and preparation are innate to the success of our work, this year may be posing a lot of challenges for you, but you are not alone!
It is difficult to plan for teaching and learning in a time of uncertainties. Whether providing instruction face-to-face or working virtually, there is no doubt that this year is going to look different. There are some simple strategies that we can use to proceed through the unknowns while still providing our very best to our students. This may mean that instruction will look different at times, but if we, as educators, enter into the year with the right attitude, there is no challenge that we won’t be able to conquer.
So, how do we prepare for the uncertainties within our schools, classrooms, and roles? I believe that there are three basic strategies that will allow us to navigate this school year with success. We need to be positive, flexible, and reflective.
Be Positive
As educators, we are role models. Not only for teaching and learning but also as citizens. When we project a positive attitude, a sense of confidence, and preparedness, our students and families will mirror some of that in return. We need to speak positively about the year ahead. We need to share and post the amazing things happening in our schools. We need to tell our story about the teaching and learning that happens in our schools each day. There will be concerns. There will be stories put out there that detract us from our mission, but we have the ability to counteract that positivity. Plan for one way that you will:
Model positive practices within your school/classroom
Share a positive story with the school community
Engage your students in positive thinking
Be Flexible
With things changing from day to day, we all need to enter into this year thinking flexibly about our roles. We will need to adapt to new policies and procedures. We will need to model and reinforce these with our students. Our educational landscape may be changing from face-to-face to virtual or at some point the other way around. We will need to create lessons that are flexible to different learning models, as well as the different learning needs of our students. We will need to be flexible in the way we communicate with students and families. If working remotely, families may have questions “after hours”. We need to be flexible about meeting their needs and supporting them where and when they need it. How might you:
Provide flexible office hours for family communication
Offer flexible instructional strategies within your lessons
Design flexible methods of assessment to meet the needs of students
Be Reflective
This year will be different. You may be trying a new approach. Maybe you’ve created a Google Site or a virtual Bitmoji classroom. For some students and families, these may be welcomed changes, but for others, it may be too much change. Take time to stop and reflect on your teaching practices. Reflect on the progress of your students. Do some self-reflection and be sure that you are taking time for yourself. Carve out time to review and renew. You won’t be at your best if you don’t take care of yourself.
Schedule time to reflect on your practice, alone or with a trusted colleague
Make time to self-reflect
Take time for yourself
It is likely that we will remember this year more than any others in our teaching careers. It will be hard at times. It will be rewarding at times. It will be what we make of it. I would encourage everyone to be positive, be flexible, and be reflective so that the 2020-2021 school year will be the very best one yet!
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