Teachers’ Thoughts on Returning to School: As Told By David Rose

Teachers have mixed feelings on returning to school after winter break every year. Excitement to see their students. Nervousness about what the rest of the school year has in store. Sadness at how fast the break flew by. Those feelings are even more mixed and deep this year with the added complications and concerns brought on by COVID-19. Here are 25 thoughts many teachers have had about returning to school as told by David Rose from Schitt’s Creek.

1. When you’re in disbelief that school is starting again already.

If we ignore the situation, will it go away?

2. When people say that we need schools to be back in session because their kids are driving them crazy at home.

Oh because teachers are a bunch of babysitters?

3. When admin assures the staff that they’ve got everything figured out now.

Mm, yeah, OK.

4. When people say you should just quit teaching if you’re still tired after winter break.

Umm…

5. When admin keeps adding to your workload.

There are not enough hours in the day.

6. When you have serious doubts the “new and improved” plans are going to work, but know you don’t have a say.

Okay. Got it. We’ll do what we have to do!

7. When you just can’t comprehend social distancing with 25 kindergartners for another semester.

Just one more time…

8. When some people still insist there’s nothing in the data about children being carriers.

Nothing at all?

9. When they announce even more students are being added to your roster.

And it just keeps on getting better!

10. When non-teachers insist that there’s nothing to worry about.

Easy for you to say.

11. When you’re not quite prepared, but enthusiastically welcome your students back anyway.

Are we ever truly 100% ready for a new semester to start?

12. When you STILL have to teach in person AND online at the same time.

We’ll continue to make it work. Somehow.

13. When you now have 30 students that you have to keep 6 feet apart at all times, instead of the already ridiculous 25.

But… how?

14. When your alarm goes off for yet another long day of “mask policing“.

“Your mask is not a bracelet… Your mask is not a slingshot… Your mask is not a tissue… Where is your mask?!?”

15. When you have to attend PD sessions on Zoom on topics that aren’t relevant this year.

And the presenter is still reading off the PowerPoint slides.

16. When you hand out personal supplies for the rest of the year knowing most students won’t follow directions.

“Don’t lose them or let anyone else touch them.”

17. When a student asks if they can borrow your mask because theirs has Taki dust inside.

First of all, ew. And secondly…

18. When you see a student blow their nose in their mask and put it back on.

*gag reflex triggered*

19. When you’re excited about all the free resources from Bored Teachers.

Like this list of Chrome extensions. And this roundup of online learning tools. Or these ideas for calm down corners.

20. When you reluctantly admit winter break is over and dive back into work.

We’re as ready as we’re going to be!

21. When you get the welcome back email from admin announcing a mandatory staff meeting.

So… this is really happening.

22. When they start the staff meeting with a virtual ice breaker.

Just when you thought ice breakers couldn’t get any worse…

23. When you know you’re going to be ok because you’re an amazing teacher!

Remind yourself often! You’ve got this!

24. When you’re stressed out from all the uncertainty, but you’re happy to be with the kids again.

We missed you little rascals!

25. When you see your teacher besties and toast (with lukewarm coffee) to making it to the second half of the school year!

Our students need us more than ever and we’ll do our best for them as always.

Thanks, David Rose and Schitt’s Creek, for summing up the feelings of teachers returning to school after winter break so perfectly!