WaPo Opinion by a brave teacher!

[Anonymous]

Well done Mrs Downs!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/29/im-fairfax-teacher-i-want-be-back-classroom/

[Anonymous]

Good for her. My friend who is an ES teacher with ES kids feels exactly the same.

[Anonymous]

Thank you Ms. Downs. I appreciate hearing from a teacher that cares about her students and all students. And that understands both science and the importance of school.

[Anonymous]

Waiting for the teachers on this board to explain to us why she’s wrong ...

[Anonymous]

DP. Two teacher household (ES) and although I can’t read the article right now I’m betting we are also in agreement.

[Anonymous]

As a parent of young kids and a teacher of young kids, we need to echo her voice.

[Anonymous]

Regardless of what winds up happening with return to school, it is refreshing and helpful to hear the voice of a teacher who is willing to return to the classroom. All along, my disenchantment with the reopening schools dialog does not involve the real concerns teachers have about their health and the health of their families, but false narrative that DL is a fair substitute for in person learning. DL may be a necessary sacrifice made for health and safety, primarily of adult health and safety, but for children, it is not the same. Teachers are right to demand protections and that their safety be considered, but they cannot at the same time shrug off the downside of long term closures. That's the problem in a nutshell.

[Anonymous]

Just read it. And was so happy/relieved/angry to see a teacher resonating with my family's same struggles and sentiments.

The return to school cannot come soon enough, and is so very overdue at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of what winds up happening with return to school, it is refreshing and helpful to hear the voice of a teacher who is willing to return to the classroom. All along, my disenchantment with the reopening schools dialog does not involve the real concerns teachers have about their health and the health of their families, but false narrative that DL is a fair substitute for in person learning. DL may be a necessary sacrifice made for health and safety, primarily of adult health and safety, but for children, it is not the same. Teachers are right to demand protections and that their safety be considered, but they cannot at the same time shrug off the downside of long term closures. That's the problem in a nutshell.

+1

While I can understand fears about the virus, the lies about well DL has been going have been maddening.

[Anonymous]

Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

Yup!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of what winds up happening with return to school, it is refreshing and helpful to hear the voice of a teacher who is willing to return to the classroom. All along, my disenchantment with the reopening schools dialog does not involve the real concerns teachers have about their health and the health of their families, but false narrative that DL is a fair substitute for in person learning. DL may be a necessary sacrifice made for health and safety, primarily of adult health and safety, but for children, it is not the same. Teachers are right to demand protections and that their safety be considered, but they cannot at the same time shrug off the downside of long term closures. That's the problem in a nutshell.

I agree. DL has not been as good as in person learning. It’s not even close. I teach a primary grade and my colleagues and I say this every day. It is not sustainable and the students need to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give teachers vaccine and then send back kids full time- no hybrid. If teachers are vaccinated kids can be in school full-time without distancing.

Yup!

This would be my preference as well. I'm more worried about logistical challenges than COVID at this point (I am half-vaccinated)

[Anonymous]

Finally, what a wonderful op-ed! I'm sure many of her peers will be scared to do likewise, but it'd make such a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of what winds up happening with return to school, it is refreshing and helpful to hear the voice of a teacher who is willing to return to the classroom. All along, my disenchantment with the reopening schools dialog does not involve the real concerns teachers have about their health and the health of their families, but false narrative that DL is a fair substitute for in person learning. DL may be a necessary sacrifice made for health and safety, primarily of adult health and safety, but for children, it is not the same. Teachers are right to demand protections and that their safety be considered, but they cannot at the same time shrug off the downside of long term closures. That's the problem in a nutshell.

+1

While I can understand fears about the virus, the lies about well DL has been going have been maddening.

Exactly. Its gaslighting. Acting like kids should be and are learning and retaining at the same pace as regular school when we can plainly see otherwise, is just crazy making.