The Road to Recovery from Miss Kendra

This applies to us here in NZ

Schools are in the process of recovery from the pandemic.

Recoveries are rarely linear, and this one, in particular, will challenge everyone.

When we think of goals and objectives they are often achieved in a linear fashion: you start from point A and go to point B.

You prepare the class, you teach, the students learn, and objectives are met. You start with the planned curriculum, and you will finish it at the end of the year.

Having a linear trajectory is clear, is progressive, is directional, and is predictable.

We like it and prefer it.

Miss Kendra Programs suggests the following tips for returning to the classroom this year:

Recovery is not linear it is progressive. As we start the new year and the pandemic recovery is happening, it is important to remember that recoveries are not linear and to expect the roller coaster ride and even in the ups and downs, progress is made.

Educate others about the agenda - that the ride can still be purposeful.

Be as flexible as you can with expectations. Adjusting expectations lead to adaptive responses. We are all accustomed to working with standards that must be met. The old standards will not always work in this recovery.

Be forgiving of yourself. While you prepare your class, recognize that you may need to shift gears as kids struggle or support kids in distress, even if it means slightly falling behind with your objectives.

Each person is recovering in a completely different way. For some people the pandemic has broken social bonds, for others, it has brought them closer to family.

One keyword of caution is being careful not to land on one main story that applies to everyone.