Educators are working hard to maintain positive connections while they help students meet their learning goals. They know how social and emotional needs impact student learning. Furthermore, there is great clarity in how much of an educator’s work carries over into their own lives. Some local educators made the time to share what helps them, and what they have learned from their work.

According to Kim Ackles, a school counselor at Bartlett Elementary School in Goffstown, this school year has been unlike any other she has experienced. Ackles said she is so impressed by the students for their resilience, and their ability to adapt has been a valuable lesson.

“If COVID-19 taught me one thing this year, it is to value the time we have with our family. I am a mom of three children under the age of seven and I often forget how quickly time passes and how much we miss out on when our children are at school.

So, when I get home from work each day, I put my bags down, allow myself 30 minutes of talking to my husband about my day, and then I let it go. I sit down and play a game with my kids, or watch a show with them, or I read a chapter in my book, take a bath, or find one thing that I enjoy doing and I make sure to do that each and every day.” Ackles said.

“It’s important to find the things that bring you comfort and indulge in them. Especially after a very trying day. When I’m feeling really low, I make lists. Lists of things I want to do, people I want to see, and all that needs to be done. I set that list aside and when I have the energy or mental strength, I take that list out and work on crossing off one item. It may not seem like a lot, but I’ve accomplished something and it helps to remind me to take each day one moment at a time.” Ackles said. “My advice to everyone during this pandemic is to stop sweating the small stuff. The laundry can wait, the unfinished work on your desk can be finished later, but your mental and physical health are what are important now. I encourage everyone to take this pandemic one moment at a time and to indulge in comfort, enjoy time spent with your loved ones, and take care of you.” Ackles explained.

Rob Huckins is a social studies teacher at Merrimack High School in Merrimack, and he said the pandemic has completely shifted the way we look at school and its value to communities. “The actual skills and content learned is important and this can still be done to some degree with remote learning tools but nothing can really replace the “in person” benefits such as socialization or physical movement and contact. Many aspects of school culture during “normal” times are completely absent (sports, assemblies, lunch interactions, meetings of clubs, etc.) and most days are reduced to “bare essentials” of class meetings and academic necessities. I think the most important aspect for people to keep in mind during all this is humanity and compassion.” Huckins said.

“I think students and families will likely remember schools for how they treated them during this time rather than what specifically was learned. We have to be people first, professionals second in my view. Like most times of crisis and stress, these parts of ourselves become most vital. Students will recover learning in various ways over the next few years but the more human aspects of how they were treated, how they treated others and made it through will be more deeply embedded long term.” Rob Huckins shared.

Darby Shaw is a first-grade teacher at Richard Maghakian Memorial School in Brookline. Her main focus has been her 19 students and trying to remain balanced through self-care.“One thing I want people to understand from an educator’s point of view is that every child will make progress this school year. No one anticipated or expected a pandemic to change a school year, but their child will still be learning and moving forward in school. I think that is important to let families know that their child or children are not alone in the impact of this pandemic,” Shaw explained.

Sarah Strauss, Librarian Media Specialist at Clark-Wilkins Elementary School in Amherst has found fun ways to stay connected with her students by making creative educational videos with her team and reading stories to her students. During all of it, she makes time to reenergize, so she can be present for her students and share a love for reading. “I will say that I take a lot of walks with my family and friends as a way to stay healthy while connecting with my loved ones. It is so important to take time to connect with others and find time to relax and have fun,” Strauss shared.

Brandie Pettus Art Teacher at Amherst Middle School thinks creativity helps.“Teaching during the time of COVID has taught me to refine my teaching philosophy. What really matters in my subject? What do I want to have children remember when they look back at our time together? When I do this, I realize that relationships are important. Creativity. Trying new things and having fun. That’s important for them and for me,” Pettus said.

“At work, I’m trying to connect with students and listen to them. I’m seeking out colleagues and taking a moment to say hi. At home, I’m trying so hard to connect with my children. I’m not always successful, it’s hard to keep up and many days I feel like I come home from school, do school work, make dinner, do more school work and then go to bed. I have also found that I need outdoor time: cleaning the yard, hiking, biking, sitting outside and just being in the quiet. I’m a little worried about a long winter ahead, but I’m planning to get outside as much as possible,” Pettus shared.

Meghan Ayer is the Head of School at 2nd Nature Academy in Nashua. Ayer shared how time management and self-care are important.

“To get through this time, I have been trying to slow down, be mindful, get outside, exercise, and embrace my family. I wish people knew how much more work and responsibility this has been on teachers. I feel as though there is a great weight on my shoulders making sure all of my students’ academic, social, and emotional needs are being met.” Ayer stated.

Leni Hodgins is the Adult Education Director at The PLUS Company, Inc. in Nashua serving individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Acquired Brain Injuries. Hodgins finds the joy in keeping a connection with her clients and co-workers. She teaches between 9 and 14 classes each week which requires many hours of preparation. “I love my job and being able to stay connected with our clients through Zoom has been wonderful. With that being said, I have never worked so hard in my life. I have always been physically active which is a stress reliever for me. COVID and the increased workload have made me increase the length of my workouts. I listen to lots of educational podcasts while I work out which helps with my class research. I also eat lots more ice cream – it is my comfort food. I love teaching – even virtually – but like everyone else, I yearn for a return to normalcy.” Hodgins shared.

Newsletter