A Personal Message to All Educators

January 3rd was my last day as Superintendent of Schools and the end to an almost 35 year career in education. It was the right time for many reasons and I have not regretted the decision. However, since the COVID 19 pandemic has hit, there has been a pit in my stomach, a certain uneasiness when I reflect on the impacts of the staff left behind and the students and parents who are so dependent on those people.

A local businessman, whom I respect deeply, posted a video about the difficulty of laying off the majority of his staff. His message was emotional and demonstrated tremendous vulnerability, care and compassion for the plight of his employees. He would be “okay” but there was great concern for the well being of his staff. In today’s times, that care and compassion for those less fortunate in our neighbourhoods is essential. This is a time to pick up and serve others.

From a solely “I” perspective, the pandemic has had little impact on me. While most would never know it when I was working, I’m an introvert at heart and so spending time at home, eating meals with my wife, going for walks, etc has been a welcomed change. But having been married for almost 37 years, there is no room for only “I” and rather it is “we” and “us.” We, as a mom and dad, have been impacted by the pandemic, worrying about our son, who is a realtor in perhaps one of the worst markets in the last 50 years and our daughter, who is a first year teacher planning online lessons for Pre-Kindergarten and having the uncertainty of a continuing job hanging over her head. While “we” in this household are going to be okay, we, like many others, don’t need to go looking very far to see the impacts of this pandemic on those around us.

Which leads me to a personal message to the educators in the system, the leaders, teachers and support staff. None of you signed up for this and there wasn’t a course offered somewhere to prepare you for life in a pandemic. And yet, as I review my social media and see what is being offered to bring some sense of normalcy to the lives of students and families, I can’t be more proud. I say this not just because of what you are doing but more importantly who you are! You’ve picked up and you are serving others and I know that it is damn hard because you are doing it at a distant, knowing that in education (like most things) it is always the relationships that count. You were built to engage with kids, face to face, to foster trusting relationships where learning flourishes. Now, you’re trying to do the same with buildings closed. It won’t be the same…it can’t be the same, but what you are doing is amazing!

What people forget is that while you are being amazing on the work front, you are also worrying about the home front. You are juggling your own life and worrying about those in your family who are being negatively impacted by COVID 19. I hope that when this is over (and it will be over one day) that the general public and governments as a whole will finally begin to recognize the importance of the education system and ALL those who are in it. The work you are doing will become part of history and each of you will be a key part of the success of overcoming the impacts of this pandemic.

Please look after yourselves. Take time (even in moments) to decompress. Hug your spouse or partner and your kids a little more and tell them that you love them. Care for each other. Go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air. But mostly, be proud of what you are doing because… YOU ARE AMAZING!