Skip to main content

Covid-era Education, 8.5 tips for maximizing the experience

17th-century Plague Doctors Were the Stuff of Nightmares ...

While sharing some insights with a friend, I was prompted to bring attention to how best to navigate the volatility and uncertainty surrounding what we call, Covid-era Education.

The uncertainty is often promulgated by the news media, and unfortunately the advice being shared is often hijacked by those who think they know what's best for you and yours. Activists don't really have a place at the table when it comes to deciding what qualifies as medical or educational advice. I implore them to leave it to professionals.

So, here are 8.5 tips for navigating today's educational challenges.


  1. Read this. On several levels, it speaks to me about self-care, good medical advice, and how to take responsibility for my own health and wellness.
  2. Run for school board. I say this a lot, and you can always contact me if you disagree; school boards are the most powerfully elected bodies in our nation. 
  3. If you don't want to run for school board service, attend every meeting. Speak up.
  4. Ask questions. Start with, "Tell me more about what you mean by __________."
  5. Turn off the news.
  6. Teach your child to self-advocate, model it. If you or your student doesn't understand online/virtual classrooms/work; attend office hours, schedule an appointment with school staff, or research solutions. You don't have to have all the answers, you only have to know where to go to find them.
  7. Innovate. Here's an accredited resource for outdoor learning. Hit me up if you want a materials shopping list.
  8. Choose. Shop with your feet. Home schooling consortiums are a viable and tangible resource for high quality education that preserves your right to choose.
8.5  Contact me. I'm always available for Zoom, FaceTime, or GoogleChat.

You aren't meant to do this alone. None of us can. So, reach out, and I can support you in deciding how to navigate the uncertainty surrounding education, without the ideological and political morass.

Onward!

Dr. J
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Panicdemic Data - We Can Open Schools

10/13/2020 UPDATE The Great Barrington Declaration . You probably haven't seen it since Google and Reddit shadow banned/censored and salted it with climate denial subterfuge. Bing for the win, since they played it straight. This science driven, thoughtful petition - initiated by highly recognized Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford epidemiologists - signed by 7,000 medical scientists and 15,000 medical practitioners.  Science is real, remember? Here's a key part:  " Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health. The results (to name a few) include lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health – leading to greater excess mortality in years to come, with the working class and younger members of society carrying the heaviest burden. Keeping students out of school is a grave injustice. Keeping these measures in place until a vaccine is availab...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Merits of Arizona's New Standardized Test - Principles of Principals

On November 3, 2014, behind the distractions of the mid-term elections; the Arizona State Board of Education approved the RFP from SAGE Testing Company for full implementation of the AzMERIT for Spring 2015. If you're a parent, student, or employed in education you need to know some things about this test. In it's entirety, the test is computer based.  Instead of asking your child to select the correct graph from a menu of choices, they will be asked to create a graphic representation on their own. Admittedly, it's a much DEEPER look into applied knowledge.   Utah took the test last school year with startling results .  Less than half tested proficient. Less than half . Either it's a distilled look at UT children's abilities, or the results are skewed by rapid implementation of new standards, new measures of accountability, and new testing protocols. Is Arizona ready? District's who were preparing, have had a minor shift in preparation towards th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer for an Educator

It's rare to sit in the staff lounge for the 30 minute lunch break  we get and be able to reflect on one's career. Today was one such day...causing a flood of memories.  I offer this prayer for educators May you have protection when you do the home visit on the little girl who's father beat her with a 2x4 for getting a C.  May you have wisdom when consoling the teacher who gave her the C. Go with courage to sit next to the little girl who all alone weeps at the lunch table because she has lice. Teach her mother with tenderness. Be vigilant when the little boy describes the cigarette burn on his eye given him by his mother because he complained he was hungry. Hold fast at the 9 o'clock hour, still at school prepping for another day, while your own children go to sleep not having seen you all day. Have wisdom when all at home is falling down around you - and you know the children at school need you now more than ever. Be with joy when t...
2 comments
Read more