In response to the numerous reports from teachers that they were feeling overwhelmed by the countless demands, both expected and unexpected, of returning to full-time school after 18 months interrupted by this global pandemic, our system made the kind gesture of removing requirement from this afternoon, which was planned as a professional learning day following an early release for students. We were free and encouraged to leave our professional concerns behind and exit the building as soon as our students were safely on their way.
It was a generous gesture for sure, but at our school we chose to schedule the day in an inordinately stressful way involving staff assigned in arguably inequitable ways. I'm afraid our plan took its toll-- as I walked down the hall near the end of the day, I saw a colleague standing in her classroom doorway, clearly exasperated. I have no idea what was going on, but as I passed by we made eye contact. "Wow," she sighed, "they must really want us to appreciate our break this afternoon!"
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