Zooming Out… For a Week…

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by The Book Chamber in coronavirus, COVID-19, Education, Spring Break, Teachers

Can you believe it? Next week is Spring Break for some of us. A few schools had their’s last week, and some will take it the week after next. Some colleges and universities are not having one due to COVID-19. Nonetheless, Spring Break, we are ready!

The need for Spring Break is real. Probably more this school year than years past. We did get that one week out of school for the “ice-apocalypse” a couple of weeks ago, but we could not go anywhere and still provided Zoom lessons each day.

Needless to say, this year’s Spring Break brings the enjoyment of NO ZOOM for a solid week. As educators, many of you know what I am talking about. It is even more relief for those who have both in-person and Zoom-person classes.

So, what does no Zoom look like for a week? Here are a few of the best Zoom responses…

Can you hear me now? You are on mute.
Mr./Mrs. Teacher, I can’t hear you.
Hang on, y’all, my screen share is not working.
Are you there? Why did you leave the screen?
What are you wearing?
You can’t eat breakfast in bed during class.
Get off your phone.
Quit watching TV and focus.
Did you get my email that my Zoom is not working?
Student posting social media pics for an official absence while shopping.
Are you at work?
Why are you driving down the road?
Wake up.
I’m taking your quiz while driving and I am going through an area with bad reception. Can I close out, and you reopen the quiz for me?

And my favorite thus far…
No, ma’am, you cannot sit in for your child on the Zoom.
And the list can go on and on…

By now, teachers are probably at their “wit’s end,” trying to keep everything and everyone on the same page. Teaching has taken on a new definition of late (almost a year now, to be exact). Being an educator can be exhausting in a regular year. How tired are you this school year? The “extra” whatever is weighing heavy on all educators. A few extra hours each day are needed in hopes the next day is good to go.

And somewhere in there, we are supposed to be a family member.

Yes, no Zoom for a week. No lesson plans, no worrying about who is on the Zoom and who is not. No worrying about whose technology is working. No nothing…

I hope each of you has a great one. We will pick back up with the blogs AFTER Spring Break. I’m Zooming out now…

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

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Gimme A Break… Spring Break That Is…

06 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by The Book Chamber in Family, Rest, Spring Break, Teachers, Time

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This week is one of four weeks we all long for as educators… Yes, I said, educators. The other three include the week before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the end of school. As I listen in the hallway, I hear teachers say, “Four more days; Three more days; I will be glad when Friday gets here…”

The need for Spring Break is real, even for teachers. That long break between Christmas and now… The hard thing, though, is making Spring Break last. Joking, at my house, at noon on Wednesday, I say, “Well, Spring Break is over.” I immediately get “fused at” by my family, but it is fun nonetheless.

So, how do we make Spring Break last? I believe it is by not focusing on what you have to do when we come back. Look at what you get to do next week (if you want to)…

Sleep late
Wear anything you want
Go anywhere you want, when you want
Eat when you want
Go to the bathroom when you want
Stay up later than normal
Take care of that much needed “stuff to do” around the house
Did I mention sleep late…?

You get the idea. What you do not need to do is think about the things that you do not have to do. By now, we are at our “wit’s end” trying to keep everything and everyone on the same page. Too often, we cannot rest, relax, and rejuvenate because of our lack of planning beforehand. Get what you need to be done for when we come back today and leave it. The goal is for you to leave the classroom mentally. You know the students do…

Being an educator is exhausting. The 10-12 hours a day get long, and that is just inside the building. What about the time outside the building? Yes, you need a break too. Go ahead and actually take it. Your family will probably appreciate it as much as you do.

I hope each of you has a great one. We will pick back up with the blogs AFTER Spring Break.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on…