Now that parents are the teachers, they might better appreciate the profession | Opinion
Amid the horrifying circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a remarkable phenomenon took hold in social media during the first week of “distance learning” when school districts across the nation had to pivot to online, home-based instruction.
Individuals as varied as Shonda Rhimes, Ivanka Trump and Kountry Wayne circulated posts with newfound respect and gratitude for teachers. Other posts indirectly pointed out the difficult task teachers undertake each day, such as the hilariously fed-up rant of Shiri Kenigsberg Levi, an Israeli mother whose post went viral. She ended her bombastic tirade with: “If we don’t die of corona, we’ll die of distance learning!”
It appears the coronavirus pandemic has led parents to develop greater recognition for teachers and the teaching profession now they have facilitate their child’s learning from home.
Many parents with two or more children now experience the challenges that teachers face each day, such as addressing the needs of each child. Teachers call this “individualized instruction.”
Many parents are working with children who have different instructional levels, but who are in the same “classroom” at home. Teachers call this “differentiated instruction.”
Some parents are trying to come up with a plan so that each child can use the computer at different times. Teachers call this “group rotation.”
Parents find themselves monitoring the progress of each child on different subject-area assignments. Teachers call this “progress monitoring,” and they typically do this in 15- to 30-minute intervals.
Many parents are struggling to establish an environment in which their children experience success, are motivated and maintain focus. Teachers call this “creating an atmosphere conducive to learning.”
There are myriad tasks that teachers are expected and required to do in the classroom, not with one or two students, but with two dozen or more.
The frustrations of distance learning that parents have expressed on social media have been a humorous distraction from the COVID-19 tragedies we are facing as a global society.
One parent wrote “If you see me talking to myself, don’t worry about me. I’m not crazy yet. I’m just having a parent-teacher conference.”
Welcome to teaching. Many teachers have had similar thoughts at some point in their careers, but have done what teachers do best — reflect, regroup and try something new. Teachers call this “implementing an alternative plan of action.”
In addition to feeling a lack of respect, teachers must often work through restrictions or resistance from parents. Now that parents are teaching at home, it is hoped that they better understand instructional challenges. If a child begins to act out or refuse to complete distance-learning assignments, parents should self-reflect to determine if their own attitude or actions might be the trigger for inappropriate behavior, something for which some parents are quick to blame teachers. Parents should respond as they would expect a teacher would. They should not punish a child with “timeout corners” or by writing repetitive sentences.
Parents can create a behavior-modification plan that includes sticker charts and positive reinforcement to motivate their children, as many teachers do.
If parents become overwhelmed, anxious or nervous because they do not know how to help their children with an assignment, again, they should respond as they expect a teacher would. They should not yell, curse or display signs of anger in the child’s presence. Parents can seek help from their child’s teacher, online resources or other parents.
Teachers call this “collaboration.”
If a child would rather play outside instead of participating in distance-learning activities, don’t take away outdoor play time or recess. Adequate time for play is a School Board policy. Parents should develop a daily schedule that separates academic from non-academic activities, as many teachers do. Parents should try to not leave a child completely unattended while working on distance-learning assignments, instead remaining fully engaged and supportive to the best of their ability.
Teachers’ sincere hope is that after the laughter, commiseration and inevitable settling in to a distance-learning routine, parents’ recognition of teachers and the admiration for teaching remains — and translates into widespread support that truly elevates the profession in terms of compensation and respect.
Distance learning should teach parents to honor teachers’ professional training, experience, dedication, accreditation and passion. Distance learning should teach legislators and policy makers to address the lack of livable wages for teachers. And distance learning should teach us all that excellence in teaching will produce excellence among the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers who are treating us, as well as excellence among the epidemiologists, public health scientists, virologists and biochemists who are creating a vaccine that will save us.
Let this be the lesson that distance learning teaches us all.
Gigi Gilbert is a scholar in residence at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development.
