COVID Hybrid Learning
A Teacher in the Pandemic
It began in December the year before
But nobody believed it would become more
We were safe and comfortable. The news? A bore.
It would never get out we swore
Watched as the world shut down its play
Gasped at the news and what it did to airways
By March it had come this way
Infections broke out day after day
A teacher at school, we had days built for snow
And winter had not seen temperatures low
We had some days we could waste and blow
We laughed about it, getting those snow days, you know
The officials met and turned up their nose
While the rest of us dozed
On Thursday they said the schools wouldn’t close
No virus would keep us apart they proposed
Friday they closed schools without an opening date
Stay tuned we guess umm blame the state
Take faith in your higher power or fate
When we open back up, it’ll be great
For weeks we had meetings virtually
Planning what distance learning we be visually
Taught how to not worry but just be
It’ll be fine, be cool, be carefree
Tried teaching online to outages, disconnects, students without wifi
It’ll be fine the men in suits said through their lies
They didn’t know the poverty of the district out size
Or listen to the parents and students as they cried
We went a whole year through a computer screen
Some students I didn’t know I’d never seen
Project calm and cool, not too sad or too mean
It’ll be all better once we get a vaccine
Teaching, paying bills, loss of jobs, and money
We expected the kids to learn and finding meaning
If they struggle just tell joke and make them funny
After all you catch more bees with honey
After a year we did hybrid learning
Surely students were wanting class, boy were they yearning
Teachers stressed out, so many with no careers churning
A new job offer? Of course I’ll go, no returning
Some in person a few days week
Masks on, don’t cough, six feet?
It’s great to see you, to meet
Go sit where I just wiped, yes, the wet seat
No, the CDC rules never applied to the school
Good thing they were except from COVID’s rule
Just fires never happen at lunch you fool
Imagine the pandemonium of those drills, it’s not cool
Other students stayed home and watched from a screen
The perfect socialization for a teen
Cameras on? They were never eager or keen
But we had to be welcoming and not mean
Teachers had to be all places all class
Those in person and cameras and messages in masse
Deal with inappropriate messages and those meant to harass
A more difficult year? Hard to surpass
Did you miss the hand raising quiet tone?
Were you not looking at the screen the moment it was shown?
Not paying attention, you should have known
You know this is the time for us to be in the zone
Keep that mask on? You want the CDC up in here?
I don’t want to catch whatever you have and I fear
Build the plane as you fly it and steer
Now wipe away those tears!
Fights happening outside in the hall right now?
Don’t they know the virus spreads on contact somehow?
More than five in the bathroom? Not allowed
You will follow the rules, this we vow!
More suicide attempts from more young people here
Hold on! It’ll get better! Soon we’ll be in the clear
Keep faking it, phoning it, pretending to cheer
The end of this pandemic HAS TO BE NEAR
Test scores down, teachers, what is the deal?
Work harder and smarter, there’s no grand reveal
More retakes, beg more participation, appeal
Try harder! You didn’t do it with enough zeal
Too many Fs, we can’t give them out anymore
The 60 is now the student’s lowest floor
Who cares if your students don’t show up to your door
It’s bigger than you, so just lower the score.
Someone showed up online and lit up a bong?
Why didn’t you engage better, it’s not that wrong
Maybe your lesson shouldn’t have been as long
It’s what you were supposed to do all along.
Harassed and cursed out by another parent on the phone?
You should have done it differently. Don’t you groan
Handle it yourself but know you’re not alone
It’s just this whole thing is a big unknown
What do you mean they can’t hear you through your mask?
We don’t ask much of you, it’s not a difficult task
Really, it’s like you think it’s such a big ask
How can it be so hard to multitask?
No more excuses, we’re the teachers, this is our moment
Smile, take it in, you’re the adult. Remember, don’t vent!
This is your greatest hour, your life’s statement
You will look back and know it was a life well spent
Please leave a comment. A restack would be great as well.
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I’m published. Please consider buying my book. I wrote it in real time from my phone while I was in Colombia, while my marriage and life were falling apart, and while I was so ill I wasn’t sure I would make it.
Too Soon et pero Too Late: French Grace. American Collapse. Colombian Care.
It's crazy to think how long this went on and how much teachers had to deal with through it.
Sounds like this was insane. Good on your for getting through it.