Mercedes Schneider is preparing for the opening of her high school in Louisiana. Teaching during a global pandemic is a twilight zone, where everyone is groping to do the right thing.
She is aware of the difficulty of planning when there is so much uncertainty. Yet that’s what educators do: they plan.
She’s aware of the contradictions that will make every day challlenging.
The one constant that she pledges to hold on to iscrelationships. With students. With colleagues. The days ahead will be hard on everyone. Be kind.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Good afternoon Diane and everyone,
Reminds me of that old saying, “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
and that makes me think of the song by Jewell (?): “In the end, only kindness matters.”
A profoundly moving post from Ms. Schneider. Must be extraordinarily frustrating and surreal.
I can’t believe schools are opening so soon. I can easily see all the impossibilities because I am a teacher, not an investor. Valuing each other is all you can do, and what investors and their pocket politicians should do. I appreciate the idea behind Mercedes’ post so much, I intend to share it at the next teachers union meeting during which I can fit it in. Thank you. So right.
“Prioritize relationships. Be kind”
True and not just now but always, imo. Very difficult, though, if you teach remotely, especially if you have never met your students in person before.
I don’t know about high schools but for university students now there are companies offering “help” during exams in exchange for “reasonable fees”. Organized cheating is flourishing.
I just sent some face shields to some of my New York friends that will be teaching this year.
Awesome!