For all but a handful of counties, public schools across Florida are going digital this week in order to combat COVID-19 and flatten the curve by staying at home. To even attempt public education during a pandemic is a herculean effort, with tremendous hurdles to provide students with an equitable, engaging learning experience. It is not going to be perfect. It will require tons of patience from all sides. Remember, educators are suddenly being asked to build this road while we are walking down it with them. There will be a tremendous learning curve for all participants. But it is going to be okay.
While writing this, I am getting messages from educator friends from across the state: online platforms are crashing, students are unable to login or they can login and then the system crashes and their work is lost. It appears to be a disaster.
So, like I said, it is not going to be perfect. It will require tons of patience from all sides. Expectations will need to be lowered. But it is going to be okay.
If we can all take a deep breath and relax, there is no reason to add any more stress to this global pandemic. Be patient with each other (and with technology platforms). Let teachers connect with students. Show gratitude. Treat each other with compassion. There will be hiccups; learn from them and move on. Such life lessons are more important than any book learning.
Thank you to the educators who are rising to the challenge. I don’t believe anyone will ever take public education for granted after this. You are my heroes.
No matter what, if we can focus on being compassionate, it is going to be okay.
— Sue Woltanski is a Monroe County school board member.
