Teachers Get Candid About Heading Back To School During Coronavirus (15 Posts)

11. 

“I teach in a middle school of about 1000 kids. There is literally no safe way to do it. We are supposed to start in a few weeks and we have no idea how things will work. I love my kids and I know they have tough home lives. There is nothing I would love more than to have them back in my classroom. BUT if we go back to in-school learning in any form, PEOPLE WILL DIE. Parents will send sick kids to school, sometimes because they’re asymptomatic and they have no idea they’re sick, or they know their kids are positive but they have to go to work so they’ll send them anyway. I don’t want my students to die. I don’t want to watch my coworkers die. I don’t want to hear about the families of my students and coworkers dying. I don’t want to die. Maybe I wouldn’t die, but if I got sick and passed it along to others who died, I could never forgive myself.” — stackedlikepineapple

12. 

“A mixed bag. I’ve been worried about my students (access to food, safety, clean clothing, etc) and if they’re in person I can make sure some of their more basic needs are being met. (Lower income school that has resources to assist) I also know that without in person classes, not all learning needs are met, especially those within the special education realm. I’m also aware that coming back in person puts the health of many students, families, and educational professionals in harms way. It really feels like a lose lose situation.” — colbilyn

13. 

“After Sandy Hook I had to accept the reality that America is somehow OK with children and teachers dying. They would also rather train teachers how to huddle their bodies over children in the corner rather than actually solve the systemic problems that cause school shooting deaths. I am not surprised that our government is trying to send us back at all costs. What I am surprised by are the parents who seem to be in denial that their kid could be the one that dies or brings it home to them. Also, I’m high risk and I’d really like to not die. I’m sure my husband, son, and unborn child feel the same way.” — appleforteacher

14. 

“I resigned specifically because my private school did not support mask wearing and my principle straight told me they don’t work. But he supported me wearing a mask. No way I’m going to get sick or worse for a job. Plus, my own kids need me and we decided to homeschool them in order to have less bodies in schools to support their own teachers. Mark my words, if schools open in August, come September America is going to be in a lot of hurt.” — colorful_being

15. 

“I’m scared, and despite being in a high-risk group, I’ll go to work and do my job because I came to the conclusion that it won’t be for long. We’ll go back and I’ll be super careful about everything for a week and then things will get shut down all over again and we’ll lose all the progress we’ve made. THAT is my frustration, even more so than worrying about going back to school, that the whole country will ultimately be losing ground on this, not gaining it.” — sunflakie