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To my children’s teachers, I know you must be extremely stressed, believe me I am too.
I know that all you are doing right now is playing scenarios in your head like “what ifs” and “maybes.”
It’s a bubble of confusion and panic and you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders- believe me, I do too.
I know you want your students to feel some sort of normalcy, but I also know that you’re worried coming back to school will only have the opposite effect. We are all just counting down until the next lockdown.
A classroom filled with masks and gloves and tape on the floor indicating personal space doesn’t seem like the ideal welcoming classroom I know, but my children are so excited to see you!
A classroom where you cannot see your students smile or frown. A classroom where you cannot give your students a reassuring hug if they’re afraid on their first day of school. A classroom where you cannot have your students hold hands and form a circle. A classroom where Hi-5’s don’t exist. This doesn’t seem like a classroom any student would like, but believe me, my kids are over the moon to be back with you. They’re so excited to see their friends that they will adapt.
I know you will unintentionally panic if you see a child getting sick- you will worry for your other students, then for yourself and your family and everyone you’ve come in contact with. I know that ideally, this is not the classroom you want for your students, but my children and I are so grateful you’ve come back.
I know the mental stress you’re going to endure will drain you but I hope the smile of your students will make it a little easier. Sometimes just knowing how wanted and needed you are, helps out your mind at ease.
Know that YOU are what my children look forward to when they go to school. Know that YOU are the reason they come home smiling from ear to ear because of the joy you’ve given them during the day.
So, even if my children cannot see your smile behind the masks and the shields, your presence alone will give them a sense of normalcy.
And what I really want you to know, is that I appreciate you more than I can express.
I want you to know that you’re essential and fundamental in our lives and that you do not go unnoticed, no matter what path you choose.
A teacher is an ever giving source of safety and love, and you will always have my support no matter what you choose to do.
Thank you for all you do.
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I'm an author residing in Windsor, Ontario with my husband and three children. I share my honest and raw experiences which focus on mothers treading the rough waters of early motherhood and the difficulties of being a woman. My inspirational and viral work has been featured on Today Show, Scary Mommy, Upworthy, and more. I was nominated for two IRIS awards in 2021 for Best Writing and Breakout of the Year.
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