We’re here for you

Fed Ingram

Like you, I’ve faced my share of challenges.  But transforming the family rooms of millions of Floridians to classrooms was an assignment I never imagined. The coronavirus forced our schools to close and shift coursework to home study within a few days. But I have to tell you that in times of crisis, you better figure out how to get it done. And that’s what we do.

But the pandemic with all its frightening unknowns actually created an opportunity to bring us together as a community by expanding the learning experience with ingenuity and technology. Besides it’s not the buildings that make our public schools work, it’s the teachers, staff, bus drivers, lunchroom workers, counselors, and resource officers — all of them supporting students. And there are the most important people; the caring parents who will play a new role in this partnership.

We will do this together. We will make mistakes as the struggle with distance learning and the technology tied to it won’t always deliver. It will take a great deal of patience. But I believe we will be successful. 

As the president of the 145,000-member Florida Education Association, a teacher and education advocate, I found that teaching at home gave me a new appreciation for our classroom teachers and what they do daily. As a parent I also appreciate the extra time I now have with my children. It’s a gift. 

Studies show that parents say a favorite activity is reading to their young children. Staying home creates time for family reading. Even if your children are independent readers, try reading the paper together and have your children read to you.

I know families are facing economic hardship, including the pain and uncertainty of layoffs.  I know that along with education challenges and the stresses of social distancing and staying at home for prolonged periods add to the anxieties and risks that come with going to work during a health crisis.

It’s hard. As much as I like being home with my kids, some days I feel like I’m juggling on roller skates.  But as a teacher I have to remind myself that there are guardrails that we can grasp to make life a little less wobbly. Some of them include:

Sticking to a schedule: It’s important for families to maintain healthy routines, especially when school resumes online. 

Set regular times for getting up and dressing, reading time, schoolwork, meal and snack breaks – and a regular bedtime.

 A regular place to do schoolwork is also helpful, even if it’s just one corner of a common room.  This is especially critical now because children often have to share time on the computer with siblings and parents.

Don’t create added stress:  There’s no reason for students to be stressed out about any one assignment, paper or project. Use positive reinforcement. Make sure your children know that everyone, their teachers included, are trying to make this work. Reach out to older students with time on their hands among your family friends, neighbors or relatives to serve as tutors via FaceTime or Zoom. 

Don’t forget recess: Students miss the friends they see at school every day. Give young people the space and tools they need to find friends and family on social media, video chats, and other online platforms. 

Making time each day for a family walk with the dog or bike ride is healthy – and these are good habits we may want to maintain when life returns to normal. 

Seize the moment:  Think about creating a family diary or scrapbook or encouraging your kids to create their own. It’s something their children and grandchildren will treasure. 

National Education Association website contains some lessons for different grade levels related to the Sights & Sounds of Spring.

Keep in touch with your children’s teachers. Check out the links and online tools that are available from your school or district. Above all, stay safe – which for most of us, means staying at home for the time being.  

Fed Ingram is president of the Florida Education Association and a former Teacher of the Year in Miami-Dade County. FEA is the state’s largest association of professional employees, with more than 145,000 teachers and other educators.