“They’re back…” The classic line from the movie Poltergeist II: The Other Side.

Well, guess what? Students are back, and some are back for the very first time in a year and a half. Yes, a whole year and a half of being in person in a school setting. Think of it this way, some students are just now setting foot back in a school building for the first time academically, changing classes, eating in the lunchroom, riding a bus, and whatever else. I imagine there are some school districts where entire campuses have been missed. Some students might be relieved that they have not even had to serve detention in a long time. Nonetheless…

Now, I’m a fan of in-person school. Agree or disagree, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is now, most schools are back to in-person teaching and learning. I imagine some students are wide-eyed walking up and down halls; some teachers are wide-eyed at having a “full” class again. Yes, “they’re back…”

So, as educators, how do we swim with instead of against the current of change as we have it now? I have a few ideas…

Embrace the digital learning that was…
Many students “learned” last year through some platform of digital technology. For over a year, that is all it has been for some. Why not keep and incorporate that same idea with technology in your teaching this year. We might be all “in-person,” but that does not mean you cannot keep some of the technology in place. As an educator, do not put limits on a student’s learning.

Embrace engagement…
Do you realize that some students have not actually spoken to a teacher in over a year? No engagement or acknowledgment whatsoever. I think that is sad, but now that we are back “live,” find ways for conversation to occur. Speak to your students as they come into the room. Acknowledge them by name during the class. You be the “ice-breaker; let your opening or closing statements be non-subject related (that’s a novel idea). I always try to drop a “dad joke” somewhere in the class.

Embrace patience…
By nature, I’m a no-nonsense teacher. Now, I do provide “edutainment” but in a serious manner. However, some students are not where they need to be in their progression of classes, but regardless, they are in your class now. They are behind because they simply did not receive the instruction they needed. Who’s to blame? Well, that depends on if you are the student or the teacher. Anyway… set your students up for success. You might have to explain something one more time, you might have to work a few more examples, you might… have to just be patient.

Education is ever-changing and ever-changed it has. When we embrace the positives of education (do not embrace the negatives), we become better educators, and hopefully, students will be better as well. Yes, “They’re back…” yet we should not be afraid of them. Remember, we might be the only chance some of them have to succeed.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2021 J Clay Norton

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