The original item was published from April 12, 2021 9:47 AM to April 30, 2021 9:56 AM
“We are so lucky that we got so much extra time together this year.”
These are the words of our seven-year-old daughter reflecting on this crazy year we’ve had. As I look back on April 2020 to April 2021, I can see the good as well. Relationships that were scattered and surface-level with staff and families have become much more authentic and ‘down to the bone’ so to speak. We’ve all had to ‘pivot’ until we are dizzy, and the result of that creative, in the moment mindset has had many positives. The reduced class size has allowed me to get to know my fellow teachers, students, and other TDRPD staff as well as many families I’d not had the time to stop and connect with in the past.
In the classroom, we have celebrated every moment we get to spend together as a class. It has made me realize that my TDRPD family is a natural extension of my own family and the value of human connection should never be underestimated.
I had a student excitedly show me a blade of grass yesterday saying, “Look, at how awesome this grass is!” It reminded me that as we all struggle with the reality of life in a pandemic, stopping to celebrate even the smallest living thing can change your perspective. As much as I dislike the term ‘pivot,’ I am trying to embrace my own ‘Pivot Party’ and focus on the daily human connection that helps us form strong community.
#MountainForward