After 17 years of teaching, I can unequivocally say that the 2021-2022 school year has been the most challenging ever. When I share that sentiment, I am met with surprise because most people assume the 2020 school year would have been harder because of the adjustments teachers had to make during the Covid-19 global pandemic. However, this past school year was harder than I can begin to explain, and I know my colleagues feel the same. One of my closest teacher friends said to me last week, “If you haven’t thought about quitting the profession this year, you’re weird.” Those outside of education might assume that the crisis level teacher shortage comes from low salaries or unpopular legislation, and though such issues are frustrating and contribute to low morale, the real issue is the sense of hopelessness and lack of control over what is happening to our students.
Our nation’s students are in crisis mode, and it’s not for the reasons you might assume. The student population is polarized, not over politics, gender issues, or social disagreements, but rather they are deeply divided over their involuntary post-pandemic response. When the world shut down, students were sent home with devices to learn from their bedrooms, and they were changed forever.
Undermotivated students got used to the leniency that was necessary for deadlines on assignments. None of us had ever journeyed through a global pandemic before; none of us had done long-term virtual learning before, so due dates had to be flexible. Teachers had no way of monitoring who had strong internet access, so we had to give grace and assume the best.
Now that in-person learning has returned, undermotivated students are still struggling to adjust to “normal” school procedures, like hard deadlines, greater rigor, and attendance accountability. This group of learners got used to the lax approach to education that the pandemic offered, so now they are discontent and frustrated over expectations that were basic prior to 2020.
A second group of learners is struggling with post-pandemic PTSD. For a large group of children, school is their safe place, so the worst possible circumstance imaginable was to send them home for months with no access to free meals or direct contact with teachers who care about them. Many students spent the pandemic hungry in homes filled with abuse and violence. Their parents searched for a sedative to the unexpected global crisis through substance abuse. Marriages that were already hanging by a thread disintegrated as families that already didn’t get along were forced to dwell in the same space with no reprieve or opportunity for escape.
Because of confidentiality, I can’t publicly share the many horror stories I’ve heard from students who suffered greatly at home during the shutdown. A large group of students this year has not been interested in learning because they are simply trying to recover from what has tragically transpired over the past three years. Their scars and pain prevent them from caring about solving quadratic equations or writing thesis statements.
For a third group of students the pandemic lockdown was the solace their souls needed. We forget that American culture is unique because it’s driven by performance and competition. In Europe an afternoon siesta is normal, but Americans are driven and programmed by the clock. As Ricky Bobby says, “You have to win to get love,” and unfortunately, in this country that’s often true. Our culture tends to look at GPA, athletic stats, test scores, and extra-curricular involvement as the measure of a young person’s worth.
High performing students loved the rest the pandemic offered. School sports and travel sports ceased; all other extracurriculars halted. There were no show choir routines to memorize, marching band steps to count, or robots to program. Students in healthy homes discovered the peace that having a Sabbath brings. Students who are busier than they should be FINALLY got to experience family dinners at home, instead of in the drive through on the way to practice. They got to make memories with their siblings and play games as a family.
My younger two kids became best friends during the pandemic lockdown, and they truly miss each other during the school day now. Our best memories as a family were formed during that period. We went canoeing, enjoyed nature, had family devotions, and bonded deeply.
For many students like my own children adjusting back to living by the clock has been sad and hard. These students are still driven to perform, but they have gotten a taste of how refreshing it is to not be so dang busy. They have gotten used to nurturing their spirits instead of meeting societal expectations, and they are grieving over the loss they are experiencing by being thrust back in an environment that values striving over rest.
So why has this school year been so hard? Because I have watched every level of learner from all demographics and home structures struggle to adjust to post-pandemic life, while culture is still expecting performance, mastery, and deadlines. We place identity and worth on all the wrong things in this country, which teachers can’t change. The sense of hopelessness that fact brings is enough to keep us up all night, which is why every single teacher you meet is tired and weary. I am finally able to explain why I’m so tired, and it’s not the kind of exhaustion that sleep will fix.
So many kids got lost, or at least lost years to the pandemic. It may take years or even decades to figure out a better way to respond if this should ever happen again.
Thank you for reading, Janice.
Thank you for sharing. So true.
Thank you for reading.
Such a great explanation of what not only our children are experiencing, but all of us…and it takes time. Thoughtful, caring people like you and the many other caring people who show kindness through their actions will help all of us.
Thank you for your consistent encouragement, MaryEtta.
Not only students have ptsd – but teachers as well! Thank you for writing!
Explained so well-at least three times a week I say I’m tired of being tired. It makes me sad.
That was an eye opening read. Very enlightening. Thank you.
Oh Carla… sadly everything you wrote is the truth….
There is one more: The consequence of the closure is that our students are 2 years behind where we are used to teaching (i.e. 4th grade teachers are having to deal with teaching students whose academic and behavioral ages are at a 2nd grade level). We are having to differentiate more now than ever before as a rule.
First grade teacher here. I have been to one specialist after another this year trying to determine why I am so tired. I had breast cancer right before the pandemic hit and I have fibromyalgia. I just think it has been three years of stress overload.
This is the truest statement I have ever read. In 31 years, I have never experienced what I have experienced this year.
Thank you for putting into words what I have been seeing, feeling, and living through this year. School was always my happy place, but no more. I had hoped to teach three more years before retiring, but not after this year. I’M DONE! I have never had students talk to me and treat me with such disrespect as I have this year.
I’m praying for those teachers who don’t have other options available to them.
I am currently working in a K-2 school. There is not one student in that school that has ever had a “normal” school year. The 2nd graders went home due to the shutdown in Kindergarten. Then last year was an in-person/virtual s*** show! This year has brought students that are so far behind academically from the previous 2 years, that they may never catch up! We have had more behaviors this year because they haven’t been around other children. It’s a stress level like no other.
We, the parents had to be force to teach – without pay- to leave our jobs- because the children could not stay home alone – without adults. I haven’t heard Alabama talk about any of that! My profession- is detail cleaning. And I had to go commercial to survive – as well as stay out trouble. That’s a whole other story! I felt all of this read and hats off to the educators. Most of my family are educators in other school systems and I had to rely on them to help me with what another district could not-in whole other state sometimes. Wow! I get all of this! And it’s not just educators!
This ! 100 times !!! All of the above !!!
I never thought about retirement before, but after Christmas break it’s really been on my mind! Year 29 has definitely been tough…
Thank you for your caring words. I, too agree it has been the hardest. 24 years as the classroom instructor for discipline such as detention and in school suspensions, cool down, time outs whatever has been needed and way too much has been needed!
My stress levels are wavering but someone has to love the kids away from home and I have done it most days. I have seriously considered retiring but would like to do one more year, who knows?
I have entered the worst data for social media issues, fights and so much more than I have ever seen. What is so sad is the phones are out of control and parent’s aren’t helping. So many texts are coming during the day from parent’s even when the rules are phones must be off and in the backpacks. Rules need to come back and Everyone inside and out needs to respect them.
I wish everyone better days and great hugs from your kids!
Thank you for this wonderful insight! I have been a teacher for 37 years and this has definitely been the hardest! You were able to capture the year so well–it isn’t about the money or policies this year–it is about the changes in the students!
4/16/22. A fellow colleague and friend shared your blog post in out group chat. I almost did not read the attachment thinking it was probably a joke or something of that nature as I was unfamiliar with your posts.
How glad I am to have read the posting! I am a teacher of 34 years to mostly 6th grade kiddos during my tenure. I am also an immersed Christian of 46 years.
You have captured the essence of the life-struggle our students have endured since the start of the 2019 pandemic. And more so,, you have articulated the feelings that we educators -whom have been around for a bit- have known but struggled to put clearly into words.
Your words have helped me reign in my attitude towards my students as I have wrestled with the learning loss and student apathy toward school topics and expected deadlines. I needed this reminder, or more -clarification- that my students are performing behind previous years of pupils because of the massive life-style change they had no control over.. Your blog nailed the three categories of learners perfectly.
I will return to my classroom Monday with renewed prayer and better focus on my kids. This article is the reminder and support I needed to keep focused on the child and not the test score.
I have tried to keep my teaching this year based on the needs of my students and not the expected pace of curriculum my state requires to meet an exam. I have found myself internally getting upset over how behind my students are when I have high stakes testing ahead … pupils are behind, not coming to school much like pre-pandemic days; not doing assignments on time or even at all; not seeming to be bothered by poor scores; having little drive to improve; being hard to motivate; having little accountability from home and more blame toward me when a child fails; and seeing the moral aptitude of my kids having slipped in the last years…..: the list can continue.
My students need me to be their cheer leader and support to bring them back to classroom norms. They need time to undue what pandemic learning did to them. They need time to be safe at school once again. They need time to believe that I am here for their emotional well-being; they need Ike to relearn what it feels like to have pride in their successes. They need a teacher like me to be firm, loving, and patient with them as together we learn how to be intentional in leaning again. And most importantly they need me to continue to pray for them and seek wisdom from God in order to reach them.
I needed to read your blog to remind me that what I have believed to be true – the three types of experiences students have endured- has colored my students’ world. Now no need to finish this year focused still on the whole child and not the bottom line curriculum. If I stay this course, the learning gap will fade and hopefully my must vulnerable at-risk students will feel loved and safe once again.
Jamie- Your detailed response is so humbling, and it left me in tears. I graduated from Greencastle High School, just south of where you work. Now I live near Fort Wayne. I am a pastor’s wife, and I have always viewed my job as a calling, so I am thankful when I see other educators still approach their career with the same vision as I do. I am grateful this blog could give you renewed vision. This year I have found myself giving more grace to students than I ever did before. Sometimes I wrestle with the internal conflict of wondering if I am teaching them the life lessons that they need in the long run, like meeting deadlines, pursuing excellence, etc. In reality though teachers and students are both reeling, and we are all just doing our best. I can’t thank you enough for your encouraging email.
May God richly bless you.
As an educator all I can say is preach preacher! This is well said and has been my thoughts verbalized through another fellow educator!
Thank you for having the courage to put into words the sentiment of many, many educators. Well said. The lack of training in empathy, trauma informed interventions, and culturally relevant teaching is a huge problem. I am praying for our youth and those who choose to serve as their advocates. God bless you.
Year 31 for me and my most challenging. This article articulates my experience and thoughts perfectly.
Finally!! An explanation for why we are so exhausted.
In graduate school, forty years ago, I wrote a paper entitled “The Future of the Family,” Many of my friends questioned, “what does this have to do with education?” I replied, “Just sit back and watch!” The problem has accelerated with broken homes, drug and alcohol abuse, serial marriages, incarcerated parents, and these unrealistic schedules and expectations of children. There are many great parents who do an exceptional job, but unfortunately there are many who are not equipped to raise happy and secure children. I am very lucky to have taught in 3 schools where my colleagues cared about the children and provided a safe haven for students.
Rozzie
Perfect explanation of the issues. Well written!
Thank you so much for reading and for taking time to send encouragement.
I just burst out crying because this hit the nail on the head and I’ve been trying reconcile my own feelings and explain to others what I’m seeing. These shifts are real, and teachers are used to being fixers and coming up with solutions. However, if you’ve been at this a while (23 years) this feels so heavy because it’s gonna take time and it’s not clear yet how to embrace positive change and recover what needs to be retained. Well stated. I’ve been holding these thoughts in all year
Jeri- Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I am sorry that your were overcome by emotion, but I am thankful this piece resonated with you. I pray that this summer you’re able to set down the heavy load and rest.
May the Lord bless you,
Carla
Said so very well. Thank you for your insight on this.. wishing you, all teachers, staff, parents and above all , all of our Kids the very best going forward. All the love. ❤️
Thank you for reading. I appreciate the well wishes.
OMG after 3pm years of teaching you put into words what I have been trying to put my finger on all year: the reason for my complete exhaustion and change in the climate of my classroom. I wish everyone would read this. Thank you!
Corinne- Thank you for taking time to read. I pray that the upcoming summer break provides the rest and solace your soul needs. Don’t quit! Our nation’s students need crying teachers to persevere.