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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Traxion" data-source="post: 302900" data-attributes="member: 983">I'll be in school right with the kids as an educator.  I believe kids need to be there for themselves and for us to work toward normalcy again.  That said, there are several things that need to be addressed--Protections for vulnerable staff.  There are lots of older teachers that are certainly more susceptible than others.  And anyone with health conditions.  They need options to either take a year off OR provide reasonable protections while in their classrooms.  Yes, if a teacher with a health condition wants to try to teach the kids, I think they should be able to require masks in their classrooms.  Keep in mind a HS teacher could be exposed to 100+ students, and their families, each and every day.  If this is essential for the country to get back to normal, at least allow teachers to protect themselves as they see fit.   -Reasonable protocols on how to address a case within a classroom.  It could be a teacher or a student.  What happens next?  How are contacts traced?  I think most schools have figured out that a case is going to happen and instead of shutting down a whole school for a couple weeks, they may just shut down for a few days to trace things and then get back to it.  Which is what should happen.  But, the policies must be clear so the students, staff, and public KNOW what will happen.  -Most schools are offering virtual options and in-person class.  While necessary, this places a huge workload on the teachers.  If you have spent anytime in the classroom, you know time is short as it is.  Maintaining two parallel options is difficult.  When possible (if there are enough virtual students), a virtual teacher for that class needs to be assigned.  And some classes simply won't be able to be taught via virtual means, just due to circumstance.  Good example is a welding class, theory and books only go so far.  But I teach a full day without a planning period, I won't be able to keep up with a parallel of 7 virtual classes.  Virtual options are going to be limited because of that. I have a family and things to do at night just like everyone else.  Quality needs to be maintained as well.  -Shortages in staff are going to be huge this year.  Many of the older, retired folks that are substitutes, crosswalk guards, food service workers, etc. are not going to be as likely to help out anymore.  This is going to have a huge effect at times in the schools.  The world schools are facing with this is incredibly challenging.   Nobody is going to be 100% happy.  Keep that in mind before complaining or making comments to your local school systems.  If anything has come of this is a realization for most of how critical schools are to our society.  I am not trying to make teachers look special, but we've realized how essential it is for our students to have the structure, education, and entertainment provided through the public education system.  The teaching staff is critical to this and while I have genuine concern for the students, staff shouldn't be looked at a essential sacrificial lambs either.  I think a lot of educators feel that way right now.  But we need to get back to school as safely as we can!</blockquote>

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