Many Manatee County teachers are ready to return to their classrooms | Opinion

As I observe the comments across different platforms asking our school board to not open schools, I would like to speak out on the other side of this, from a teacher’s point of view. There are many who have kept silent because we did not feel it was appropriate to speak out but after an article written by my colleague went public, I have a problem with the community assuming that all teachers feel this way.

Although I respect the opinion of my colleague regarding the reopening of schools, I feel strongly that the other side needs to be heard. There are many teachers who are in favor of opening schools and we are willing to do what it takes to make sure that all of the necessary precautions are taken to ensure our students and staff remains safe. There are many of us who are eager to go back and begin our school year. I am assured of this because many of us have already gone into our school sites and started working on getting our classrooms prepared for the upcoming school year with excitement and precaution. Many of us have chosen to respect our superintendent’s decision and not to live in fear of the future.

We are not denying what is going on in the world today and we realize that there is a risk involved. Many of us believe that keeping our students out of the classroom for another semester would be detrimental to their future classroom success. Closure of schools has led to a lack of social interaction with students and a disruption to their usual educational routines. For some, school has become their safe place, as many fear violence, hunger and/or lack of safety outside the walls of the school. These things can be modified by teachers who have daily face-to-face interaction with them.

There is no evidence that closing schools and going back to eLearning will control transmission of the virus. Many principals and staff have been working hard over the summer to prepare for the upcoming year. We know that back to school does not mean back to normal. Being an educator is going to look very different than it has ever looked before. We will all be learning the new routine together. Schools are already making sure that we will have measures in place to make sure that we are all safe. Following the guidelines of social distancing in the classroom, staggering lunch breaks, limiting face-to-face contact between staff and parents, regular hand-washing breaks, and providing masks and face shields are things that will ensure safety for everyone.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children learn best when they are in school. Schools provide more than just academics. For many families, school is where their children receive healthy meals, access to the internet, exercise, social and emotional support and many other vital services. Parents and teachers have been given three choices: Brick and mortar (five days a week), hybrid (five days a week), meaning two days at school and three eLearning, or eLearning all five days. Nobody has to be uncomfortable. There is no need to develop a living will. We ALL have a choice to stay home if the brick and mortar option doesn’t work for you. I feel like by exaggerating the issue and speaking for ALL educators, you are adding to the problem of discord among teachers and the community

The CDC recently released new resources and tools supporting the reopening of schools. You can refer to this press release posted July 23 quoting the director of the CDC, Robert R. Redfield: “It is critically important for our public health to open schools this fall. The CDC resources released today will help parents, teachers and administrators make practical, safety-focused decisions as this school year begins. I know this has been a difficult time for our nation’s families. School closures have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents, and they have had negative health consequences on our youth. CDC is prepared to work with K-12 schools to safely reopen while protecting the most vulnerable.”

In closing, there are many of us who support the school board and the superintendent’s recommendations. We hope everyone will consider how important it is to return to our new normal.

I am going to end it with a Japanese proverb… “Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”

Thank you and be well.

Martha Ferra is a third grade teacher at Gilbert W McNeal Elementary in Lakewood Ranch.

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 7:52 AM.