Course Correction: A Literal Detour, Spectrum of Calm (314)

It has been an endless course correction, pivot, adapt, adjust, break, accelerate- patterns developed. Then more changes and detours. Having students in the classroom is one aspect of an educators palette, then virtual classes- synchronous and asynchronous are another. Then STEAM, SEL, and differentiation even more. Our palettes are full, in fact our blobs of oil paints are sliding into the center- becoming a blurred mess of swirl and blend. It is difficult to separate them.

Every lesson needs to be charted for a virtual path and a physical one. Every aspect scrutinized. Every layer dissected for fluidity and sequence. We are willing to invent and innovate- and then toss it aside to make progress in a new format. We are engineers and theorists. Then we see them play out on a Zoom call or at a desk- and we see the cracks appearing. It is an endless magnification of attitude and patience.

We need to respect the learning styles but also move forward in the circumstances. It is simply exhausting. We feel like we never catch a break. Our classrooms are fluid- with students shifting, entering or exiting every six weeks. A phonographic noise of change. A photographic impression left of a relationship now gone. An extreme version of checkers. It is difficult to bond when these relationships are frequently being eliminated. It is a fervor of fluidity- both of caution and adjustment.

It is all understandable- this styling of school experience. But it is frustrating. It is uncertain and sporadic- two things educators try to avoid. A spectrum of calm- surrounded by a massive storm- lightning, winds and tumultuous rain. Umbrella's bending back- we are getting soaked. Joyful moments are the eye of the storm. Right behind them a deluge of water- pounding us, weakening us. Us left heavy and drenched- we push on.

We can not plan with certainty. Every group a new combination. Every face on the screen, every wide eyed pupil in person- looking to us for a consistent, predictable pattern of behavior and experience- yet, we too are looking to another for the same. All we can do is find a spectrum of calm. Heighten the mindfulness and kindness. Elude and emanate the compassion and smiles. Reward is not instant- it is a slow process because it is inconsistent these days. 

But if we look for the treasures rather than the reward- our detours and course corrections will become more predictable and thus more reliable and this reliability, consistency and acceptance will make everything better. Trust yourself- you have the map. Just rely on the paper version rather than the GPS- cause experience and memory go a long way. 

We can more easily plot a course when we have a pencil in hand.

We can plot a course correction when we have the big picture- all the roads and byways highlighted and traced out on paper. This map - this pace- this curriculum- is our directional energy. The rest is up to us. The literal detour is our fortitude and our creativity. We got this in spades. Happy travels my friends. Bon Voyage. Pack light and leave room for souvenirs.