A Year of Distance Learning
By Lauren Stein, Session Elder
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
First of all, I love teaching. I love teaching tiny humans how to read, write, and do math. I love listening to them discuss and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. I love seeing the lightbulb go off in their head as they sound out a word or solve a two-digit subtraction problem with regrouping on their own. With a smile behind my mask and a light in my eyes, I tell them to kiss their big, beautiful brain. And yes, that’s right, these moments have happened even through a computer screen.
And while I can only speak to my own experiences as a classroom teacher, I think it’s fair to say that this school year has been hard. The distance and constant change have made this year like no other. My heart aches for the day when it’ll be safe once again to high-five, knuckle-bump, or hug my students as they leave my classroom each day. It’s been almost a year since I last did that. I miss those moments so much.
Additionally, daily challenges demand our attention and drain our emotional capacity. When my computer audio cuts out, it is easy to feel frustrated. When a face-to-face student is absent again because there’s no adult available to bring him to school, it is easy to get discouraged. When I am up until midnight trying to figure out how to facilitate discussion and collaboration through a Google Meet, it is easy to feel like all hope is lost.
For the most part, I’ve maintained perspective and a positive attitude in the storm of opinions and fears. But I’ll be honest, these past few weeks, I have felt panicked at the idea of more change and depleted of all creativity and imagination. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep this up. The words of a friend came to mind and reminded me that in those moments, Jesus is gentle with me. He hears me and He gently whispers back His promise to be with me.
Distance teaching is still hard, and I can’t wait for it to be done. But in the meantime, picturing Jesus by my side in the midst of the chaos and noise gives me a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for your gentle whisper that gives us peace in the midst of chaos. You are always with me, and You will strengthen me and help me. Make me aware of where You are at work in the world and how I can join You in Your Kingdom work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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