Thank You!

An open note of thanks and encouragement to all of the faculty diving into the undefined path of the fall semester: whether you're teaching online, remote, hybrid, blended, on-campus, or any mix of these (and knowing your class mode might change overnight), thank you.

For the past weeks of retooling and carefully designing your newly adaptable course plan, lesson lineup, syllabus, and class content, thank you.

For the dozens [hundreds] of questions you'll undoubtedly field over the next several weeks: How do we do this? Where's the link again? When is it due? Will this be recorded? Can we have a copy of your slides? Thank you.

For the empathy and deep-down resilience that shines through as you present yet another video lecture, thank you.

For the thousands of teachable moments you will find and still make the most of despite the distance of virtual space, and for continually letting your students know there really is someone on the other side of their laptop screens looking out for their learning and their futures, thank you.

You are not just pushing another class. You are helping a hopeful four-year student graduate on time. You are giving a working mother the skills she needs to get that next promotion. You are awakening the interest in your discipline that inspires new momentum in someone's career path. You are elevating what some of your students think is possible in an uncertain world.

Thank you for all you do, and all you will do in the coming months. Let's band together, share our knowledge and usher in the next chapter of what education means. We will make mistakes, we will learn, and we will get better at this craziness every day. We got this!