36

Listen to Our Teachers or Watch Them Walk Out the Door

By Kaia Beckerman

August 8th, 2020

As the upcoming school year approaches, students, teachers, and parents look towards the future with uncertainty. While no one knows what this year will look like, one thing is certain, whether it takes place online, in person, or a hybrid version of the two, schools cannot reopen in any capacity without teachers, administrators, and support staff.

Yet, current guidelines make these vital team members feel that their voices have gone unheard, and their lives are being viewed as expendable, so they are taking action.

No matter where you fall on the debate about how and if schools should reopen, we can all agree that we need our teachers. However, if we do not start listening to what they have to say about reopening schools, we may be left watching as teachers across the country go on strike

Staff members need to be brought into these conversations, and their requests need to be implemented before schools can consider resuming in any capacity. 

Reopening Guidelines

Current guidelines vary widely throughout the United States. Where some states have chosen to require schools to offer in-person instruction, others have left the decision to individual districts with little overarching guidance.

In Michigan, students will not observe social distancing within classrooms, but those above the 5th grade, along with staff members and visitors, will be required to wear face masks. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, students will be separated by a minimum of 3 feet with staff and students in 2nd grade and above wearing face masks.

While the decision is ultimately up to each state, the federal government and federal institutions have weighed in on the issue. 

In the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidance on reopening schools, they emphasize the need to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, clean frequently touched services, and much more. However, many of these guidelines are being overlooked or are not feasible for overcrowded and underfunded districts, therefore, leading many parents, teachers, and students to question the safety of returning to schools.

On the other hand, President Donald Trump has criticized the guidelines as being too strict and expensive.

While some may argue that these guidelines are sufficient, it is clear that school staff members disagree, stating that they leave major questions unanswered and jeopardize the health of educators, staff members, students, and families alike.

With 1 in 4 teachers considered at risk due to age or underlying health conditions, what will be done to keep these teachers safe? What about at-risk students? What about teachers or students with at-risk family members? 

With new safety measures estimated to cost the average school an additional $1.2 million and many schools chronically underfunded, how will these measures be put in place?

These are among the many questions educators pose when looking for a way to safely reopen schools. 

Response of Education Workers

Over the last few months, teachers across the country have spoken out against these unsafe working conditions and unanswered questions.

In response to current plans for the 2020-2021 school year, teachers, administrators, and support staff are taking action. 

The two largest teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), which represent 90% of public school teachers, have both stated that they would consider strikes or major protests if proper safety measures are not put in place.

Both the AFT and NEA have put out their own sets of guidelines that they would like to see implemented to protect staff members. The two sets of guidelines have many similarities calling for compliance with health experts’ advice, the involvement of educators in decision-making processes, that students and staff must have free access to personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, that rooms are consistently cleaned, and more. 

After soaring coronavirus cases and deaths in Florida, teachers unions and parents sued Governor Ron DeSantis over his emergency order to fully reopen schools in August, citing that DeSantis is breaking state laws which mandate “safe and secure” schools.

Even private school teachers are speaking up. 

Despite not being union members, hundreds of teachers have anonymously signed a statement calling on private schools to reopen virtually. While the idea that private schools are better equipped for in-person learning due to their larger campuses and already smaller class sizes is circling, teachers fear that they will be left without protections were they not to feel comfortable returning to schools and believe that administrators are choosing to reopen despite health risks as to not lose tuition payments and draw in more paying parents.

Evolving Policy

Policy is constantly evolving and as democrats and republicans have touted different stimulus packages emphasizing education funding people have looked to legislation such as the Reopen Schools Safely Act, the Health, Economic Assistance Liability Protection & Schools (HEALS) Act, and many more as beacons of hope and proof that schools can reopen safely. 

Despite current guidelines and pending legislation, without listening to our educational staff members and implementing policies to address their concerns, it may not be enough.

Just as states that reopened without strong health regulations in place are seeing surging COVID-19 cases, teachers fear the same outcome as schools reopen without such measures in place.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Uncategorised

kbeckerman3

36 Comments

  1. Comment by Kassie Peloso
    As you mentioned in your piece, school must go on. But at what cost? The cost of teacher and student safety? The situation is one of uncharted waters, but I would be interested in bringing monetary figures into the conversation. Since school will not be canceled, nor should it be, colleges will suffer in terms of how much money they will bring in this year. But families are also suffering with how much money they can bring to the table. How is paying full price to attend college justified when most classes are being delivered online? There are so many questions to address, considerations to make, and so far no perfect solutions. What if the cost of attendance remained the same but a portion of the funds went to protecting students and administrations, conducting testing multiple times a month? Would we then be more willing to run the risk of returning to normal? Maybe. Maybe not.

  2. As the upcoming school year approaches, students, teachers, and parents look towards the future with uncertainty. While no one knows what this year will look like, one thing is certain, whether it takes place online, in person, or a hybrid version of the two, schools cannot reopen in any capacity without teachers https://www.dumpscafe.com/Braindumps-1z0-1064-21.html

  3. Although the scenario is unexplored territory, I’d like to bring monetary statistics into the discussion. Colleges will suffer financially this year as a result of the fact that school will not be canceled, nor should it be. In the same way, I’d like to introduce you to Sophia Loader, a teacher who can help you write an essay. And you can get more info on the essay writing course here. She is also well-versed in the different criteria that current universities place on students if they need assistance on how to improve their academic writing. I regularly get help from her.

  4. Keep up the fantastic work, I read few articles on this site and I conceive that your blog is rattling interesting and contains bands of wonderful information. visit my site: AGEN SLOT ONLINE TERPERCAYA

  5. Bonanza 138 merupakan salah satu situs agen slot online terpercaya yang telah terbukti akan membayar berapapun jumlah kemenangan anda dan proses deposit dibawah satu menit saja.

  6. Slot Gan88 merupakan situs slot online terpercaya dan terbaik di indonesia yang telah terbukti dengan selalu membayar berapapun jumlah kemenangan setiap membernya.

  7. This resumes planet review will highlight the positives and negatives of this online service. Although the company does have a few shortcomings, they offer an impressive range of services that will help you land the job you want. The price is competitive and the website design is easy to use. It also offers various special offers and discounts for first-time customers. It offers a separate chat to communicate with a writer in case you have any queries. However, this service lacks a personal touch, which is essential for a successful job search.

  8. GAN88 sebagai situs slots online gacor paling dipercaya ini hari yang sediakan bocoran keuntungan mesin slots gacor terkini 2022. Sudah pasti sekarang ini telah banyak banyak muncul situs slots online terkini dan tidak terhitung banyaknya. Tapi situs GAN88 selalu selalu memberi kelegaan dan kebebasan untuk beberapa pemain untuk bermain dan nikmati mesin permainan slots gacor terbaik ini hari. Tetapi, beberapa orang salah paham akan situs slots online pada sekarang ini hanya karena di GAN88 lah pemain dapat menang jekpot slots gacor dengan mudah. Sudah pasti GAN88 telah datang di Indonesia dari dahulu saat bahkan juga saat sebelum banyak muncul jumlahnya situs slots online gacor yang lain. GAN88 sediakan sejumlah fitur slots online terkomplet satu Indonesia karena fokus slots gacor GAN88 ialah membuat anggota senang dan suka saat bermain mesin permainan judi slots online.

  9. You have made some good points here. best women down jacket I looked on the internet for the issue as well as found most people will certainly accompany with your website. Store For all of your Superhero Outfits, Celerity Jackets, And Leather Jackets! online. Waste no time any further browsing and check out the vast varieties of superhero jackets, celebrity jackets, and many many more, visit and order now and be the fashion diva of your circle.

  10. I have been looking for articles on these topics for a long time.
    I don’t know how grateful you are for posting on this topic.
    Thank you for the numerous articles on this site, I will subscribe to those links in my bookmarks and visit them often.
    Have a nice day

    제이나인 토토 사이트 도메인
    제이나인 토토 사이트 순위
    제이나인 토토 유저
    제이나인 토토 일정
    제이나인 온라인 카지노 순위
    https://www.j9korea.com

  11. Listen to Our Teachers or Watch Them Walk Out the Door” is a powerful statement that emphasizes the crucial role of educators in shaping the future. Their knowledge and dedication are invaluable resources for our society’s growth. Just as teachers leave a lasting impact, the malone zombies leather jacket makes a bold statement with its edgy style, symbolizing resilience and individuality. Let’s appreciate and support our teachers, ensuring they stay inspired and motivated to guide us towards a brighter tomorrow.

  12. Education workers are the unsung heroes of our society, and their efforts deserve our utmost respect and support. It’s crucial that we recognize and value their contributions, not just in words, but through policies that prioritize their well-being and provide them with the resources they need to continue their vital work. Our website you can also check this.

  13. Politics in the era of a global pandemic has been marked by unique challenges and complexities. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, has had a profound impact Modveste on political systems and decision-making around the world. Here are some key aspects of politics during this era

  14. Listen to our teachers or watch them walk out the door advocates for mutual respect and collaborative dialogue, fostering an environment of trust and growth. Adding the Yellowjackets varsity jacket symbolizes unity and support, reinforcing a shared commitment to education and teamwork.

  15. Buy your favourite celebrity jackets, movie jackets, tv series outfits, gaming costumes here at TheAmericanOutfits The American Outfits. Shop latest trending outerwear by popular celebrities now!

  16. You can have a lot of fun and amuse yourself by playing games online. Check out our fall guys website if you’re looking for a place to play entertaining online games.

  17. Painting is known as art using a brush which produces very charming and attractive images intended for expression, social criticism, commercial, religious, symbolic, aesthetic and therapeutic. For more paintings visit the website. https://kesyah88888.bcz.com/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *