New School Year! How do we keep our children safe through the pandemic?

New school year: How do we keep our children safe in today’s climate??

Pencils are sharpening, notebooks are being opened, Crayons are used to paint a picture, college applications are being researched. It’s that time of year again. Summer is over, the leaves from the trees are dropping. It’s a new chapter, new school year, the thought of going back in person was a dream away now it’s here. School is a safe place for our students to learn and develop into the future generation of leaders. Inside of that classroom future lawyers, entrepreneurs, doctors, authors, teachers etc are made. Last year was something we’ve never witnessed before in modern education culture. The pandemic placed a halt on our normal school reality. Students who were looking forward to school to see their friends, escape from home, learn had that safe space taken away, with the virtual learning. Traditional lessons were now being taught via an electronic device. Now our schools return to our normal, but our world has yet to return to a sense of normality as COVID cases continue to rise.?

In such a difficult time how can we keep our children safe? While providing them with the essential educational tools to be successful.?

Here are the two most important factors everyone should implement inside of our classrooms and communities to provide our students with their treasured safety net of the school environment.?

First factor is “Comfort” the the physical and mental ease of a constraint and stress. As leaders, it’s vital in today’s current state we provide our kids with a level of comfort that’s unmatched. Students thrive better in an environment where they feel comfortable on all levels. It’s the same as traveling to a new place and staying somewhere you may not seem fit to your standard. It’s hard to feel good or comfortable in an environment that makes you feel uneasy. The same goes for our kids, we must continue to lead from the front and give them that sense of hope that all is well through comfort. Using what made us fall in love with education to reinstall the pre COVID atmosphere.?

Secondly, is the communication factor. As leaders of a classroom naturally communication is nonstop daily. However in this instance of helping our kids feel safe clear communication on what’s going on and where we are heading is vital. Successful leaders paint the picture of the now and the future for their teams to build towards to. Same goes for our kids, we must communicate the current factors of the now and how together we will navigate through such a difficult time. While also giving them the glimpse of the future and how we will overcome a barrier. Being a transparent, authentic leader to your classroom will implement a feel of trust and comfort that allows students to be themselves and feel cared about. When a student has the sense of someone caring their nature of being impressionable becomes greater allowing them to become a great student.?

Students don’t learn from people they don’t like, as we embark on this new school year think of every decision on how can we help our children feel safer. You’re a valuable essential leader to your classroom and community, become the solution. Together we’re the change.?