This is ridiculous. Seeing the strain and pressure, COVID is putting on students. They all see that the system is failing them—prioritizing their dollar amount over their actual life.
I thought that being a department chair I could help enact some change. But I realize I’m still too small. I only now have a title behind my voice. At the most, I have only been able to force the hands of my site administration to bring us transparency.
I can’t even create a safe learning environment or provide PPE for my students.
Students all over the Bay Area, and now I’m seeing in New York, are walking out of schools or staying home for their own safety. I have multiple staff members in my department who are too afraid to return to work because of exposure or risk of contraction. I have too many family members coming to me seeking clarity on the situation.
And it doesn’t even feel like the Board of Education addressed the student delegate proposals last night. Or I just missed it.
Every day my class sizes shrink. I get emails saying “I’ve been exposed to someone that has COVID” or “My family member has COVID” or “I need to keep my child home to protect them from COVID”. And we’re not allowed to provide any form of hybrid or distance learning because it’s a breach of the district or state’s MOU regarding education.
The fact that there’s no transparency. The fact that I have to watch local news stations just to find out what the district has decided. Shows that they care more about their face than providing teachers/students that information.
Any educator is passionate about teaching. Regardless of their personality or how students view them. I’ve felt burnout. But this treatment is just disrespectful.
Balasbas Says 