Tag: covid

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Setting Goals… In a Year Like This: 3

Sometime last spring when “this lockdown thing will be over soon“, and “let’s plan for life after COVID” seemed like reasonable statements in reference to fall 2020, I pitched a plan to a couple of programs to do some instructional coaching.

“We’ll do it, right“, I said. We’ll start from strengths and build a culture of support, and I’ll work with teachers on goals and action plans that are relevant to them. 

It’s a good plan. And two programs agreed. And a funder. And I was glad to have something to look forward to. (#selfcare)

And, then, fall 2020 came and we are not in life after COVID. We are still in emergency remote teaching, making hybrid work as best we can or somehow teaching while socially distant. 

But, I’ve got this grant. And it says we’re setting teaching goals. 

So. 

Yeah. 

How in the world do you set teaching goals in a year like this? 

Image of a typewriter with the world 'Goals' on a piece of paper. Text: "Thinking about Goals.. in a Pandemic" Mathacognitive

It’s a good question. 

I have a whole bunch of answers for normal times.  I love goals. I love setting them, and there are few things I love more than checking them off.

But, these are not normal times. (As if we needed to say that) 

And, pretending we can operate like normal times is not helping; it’s making too many teachers (even more) frantic/stressed/overwhelmed

These are times for granting ourselves and others some compassion, and recognizing that some of the energy we might like to spend on goals is already committed. We’re spending it on living through a pandemic, learning a new way to teach, supporting our families and friends, on (too) many other essential tasks.  

My normal list of a dozen teaching goals is not happening this year.

But, some of us (still) find goals helpful. 

They can give us focus in crazy times, and provide a sense of progress. And, I think, all of us can benefit from bringing some level of intention to this strange chapter and all that we are navigating. 

So, 3 ways to think about goals, even in a pandemic. 

Oxygen Masks

We need self care more than ever. So, one way to think about goals, is to think about committing to practices that will help us through these times.  We might ask: 

  • What will I intentionally not do, to make mental space and time for the things I have to do?  (I will not do more than 3 takes of any videos; I will not check my work email on Friday nights …)  This fully counts as a goal to my overachiever, perfectionist self. 
  • What practices will I incorporate into my teaching or my life because they fill me up, even in the midst of all that is 2020?
  • What habits or routines of self care will I seek out to maintain my energy? 

Reaching Out

Taking care of others can be a path to compassion fatigue and burn out. It can also be a source of motivation, purpose, grounding and fulfillment. (The random links my internet browsers sends me told me so , but it is true) Just, know yourself and your limits, ok? 

  •  Is there a particular, impactful way you want to maintain (or cultivate) connections, to show others you care?  With your students, your colleagues, others? 
  • Is there a project or cause, however small or large, you can devote some time to to combat feelings of helplessness or frustration?

Looking Forward

This crisis will not last forever. Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but it is true. You might find it helps you cope to think about life-after. (You might also end up with a grant still in a pandemic… or maybe that’s just me) 

  • Hard times can bring clarity and focus.  If 2020 has clarified any priorities, goals or dreams, we  might consider what steps we can take now to prepare for or pursue them. 
  • We’ve all had to grow and learn this year,  perhaps you want to expand, re-purpose or leverage your new skills in the future? 

Some caveats, as we set goals, in the middle of a year like this.

Lets set goals that help us through, not weight us down; lets set process goals, not outcomes (because we can only control what we can control).

And let’s hold them gently — whatever goals we might set –as inspiration and intention, not sources of stress and pressure

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Taking Action: Self-Care in a Time of COVID School Closures

The list of things I am not good at prominently features “change” and “uncertainty”

And these are times full of change and uncertainty. 

We are all coping as best we can. My personal list of strategies includes yoga, walks, tea, naps, complaining, trying to count my blessings, meditating and not getting past 6 breaths without a worry, girl power pop anthems, and stress-eating too many cookies.  

Which is to say, you do you, and no judgement about what gets you through. 

And, because I am an over thinker, and curious about the human brain and performance, and because it’s better than alternative lines of thought, and — you know — it’s relevant: I’ve been thinking more than ever about self care.

Sometimes, often, self care is about taking a break. Taking the breath, the break, stepping away from the to do list to relax and rest and restore. This is important and helpful.

And, curiously, sometimes, often, for me, self care is about taking action. (Because, the opposite of a profound truth … )

Putting on work clothes (even though I’m working from home), and checking something, anything off the list, and reminding myself that while I can’t fix or control many things, I can do some small things. This is helping. A lot, actually. 

So, as we’re all experimenting with walks and cookies and yoga vs. pandemic stress, reminders to myself…

  • I desperately want clear, calm communication about what is happening. But, I feel better when I channel that anxiety into providing as much clear, calm communication to my students as I can. 
  • I am grieving some of what will not transfer, as we are told our classes will be digital. But I feel better when I take a small first step and find a way to ask my students what they want the new thing to be.  (Here’s a quick survey I sent my students about distance learning goals, if you’d like to do the same)
  • I am disoriented by this new schedule-less schedule. But, weeks ago, my student asked for practice on a particular kind of problem (order of operations with division bars) and I couldn’t find it and now I’ve made it (and two more variations, because I was on a roll, and because I had the time). And so I owe social distancing that. 

Other, non-professional ways to take action. 

  • Donating to a good cause. $20 to a food pantry is the best cure I know for self-pity, not that I’ve been feeling any. (<- Don’t believe it ) 
  • Ordering take out from the little neighborhood place
  • Leaving a care package on someone’s front porch.  

However you’re coping. Whatever self-care looks like for you. I hope it’s working and that you are both safe and cared for.