On March 13, 2020, the routine we have known for 5+ years at the center, suddenly came to a halt. We said good night to our "homework help" kids, our students, teachers, and closed the door, turned off the lights - never realizing the good night would actually be a 4 month goodbye. We are still relying significantly on virtual sessions, as the governor of New Jersey has not yet opened small businesses. It has been a strange 90+ days in "quarantine."
Meditation and writing have always been my breath, peace in times of craziness. But also the first two things to be dropped in times of busyness and stress. With stay-at-home orders allowing a deep "slow down," I have been blessed with the time for daily reflection, through both quiet and words.
Canceled ceremonies, postponed standardized tests, rescheduled assignments...
my thoughts....
Everyone loves to be recognized for the work they have done, the successes they have met. But what happens when our children are "waiting" for the prize FOR learning, instead of recognizing the learning IS the trophy. When my oldest was 5, she entered a public school Kindergarten class with the nature of a philosopher. She asked questions, she wondered, she observed. She was driven by her own ideas, her own ponderings.
The teachers were amazing.
An experience I am thankful for.
It was the same district that I received my entire public school education.
An experience I am thankful for.
It was a five minute drive to the public school I taught at for five years.
An experience I am thankful for.
But within a few months, my tiny philosopher stopped asking questions about the moon or the Italian word or the animal habitat. Instead, she wondered what "theme day" would be on Friday, which sticker was atop her writing piece, or whether her homework was neat enough. The learning wasn't enough anymore. My 5 year old had quickly adopted this language of education. It wasn't about what she learned or her ideas on the topic. No. Now she wanted to know what she would get for finishing her homework. What kind of party would she have at the end of the school year? Could she get a toy if her teacher gave her a good grade?! We started homeschooling my 5 year old in first grade. We were on a journey to be learners. Not to get the learning "done."
I am saddened for the students that feel like the Corona-Virus stole something from them. They may not have their graduation ceremony or may not have that final A plastered across a report card. Many feel as though they have completed remote learning "for nothing." When learning loses its power of being the award, learning loses its magic. It loses its worth. The Corona-Virus did not steal the experience. It did not steal the journey. The pandemic did not steal the knowledge that WAS meant to be the goal.
These past 13 weeks have changed so much. I pray that the value of learning will change too. Maybe the loss of the ceremonies and the grades and the stickers will allow our students to recognize the gift that is knowledge alone. Pandemics, Unemployment, and Racial Tension may just force a reevaluation.
Meditation and writing have always been my breath, peace in times of craziness. But also the first two things to be dropped in times of busyness and stress. With stay-at-home orders allowing a deep "slow down," I have been blessed with the time for daily reflection, through both quiet and words.
Canceled ceremonies, postponed standardized tests, rescheduled assignments...
my thoughts....
Everyone loves to be recognized for the work they have done, the successes they have met. But what happens when our children are "waiting" for the prize FOR learning, instead of recognizing the learning IS the trophy. When my oldest was 5, she entered a public school Kindergarten class with the nature of a philosopher. She asked questions, she wondered, she observed. She was driven by her own ideas, her own ponderings.
The teachers were amazing.
An experience I am thankful for.
It was the same district that I received my entire public school education.
An experience I am thankful for.
It was a five minute drive to the public school I taught at for five years.
An experience I am thankful for.
But within a few months, my tiny philosopher stopped asking questions about the moon or the Italian word or the animal habitat. Instead, she wondered what "theme day" would be on Friday, which sticker was atop her writing piece, or whether her homework was neat enough. The learning wasn't enough anymore. My 5 year old had quickly adopted this language of education. It wasn't about what she learned or her ideas on the topic. No. Now she wanted to know what she would get for finishing her homework. What kind of party would she have at the end of the school year? Could she get a toy if her teacher gave her a good grade?! We started homeschooling my 5 year old in first grade. We were on a journey to be learners. Not to get the learning "done."
I am saddened for the students that feel like the Corona-Virus stole something from them. They may not have their graduation ceremony or may not have that final A plastered across a report card. Many feel as though they have completed remote learning "for nothing." When learning loses its power of being the award, learning loses its magic. It loses its worth. The Corona-Virus did not steal the experience. It did not steal the journey. The pandemic did not steal the knowledge that WAS meant to be the goal.
These past 13 weeks have changed so much. I pray that the value of learning will change too. Maybe the loss of the ceremonies and the grades and the stickers will allow our students to recognize the gift that is knowledge alone. Pandemics, Unemployment, and Racial Tension may just force a reevaluation.
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