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Connections Matter

 

I wanted to share a story with you all.  Last week was our first week of school and this year I'm teaching it all through zoom.  Similar to in person the first day had its glitches and didn't go fully as planned.  The rest of the week went well with our getting to know you activities and how to sessions.  I switched up technology and was ready to try something new for week 2.  As I started to let people into class yesterday one of my students asked me a question, keep in mind, that I've only known these students for 1 week.  The student messaged me in the chat "Mrs. Booth, you look sad, are you okay?"  

I may be a veteran teacher but that doesn't exclude me from technology problems, long to do list, or hoping lessons go as planned.  Through a computer screen the student could sense this before we even finished our SEL question of the day.  Her question threw me off, it made me stop worrying if the new technology was going to work or how much class time would be left after getting all my students into the correct zoom.  Her question reminded me that, me being there was just as important as the lesson I was to teach.  

I know SEL activities and lessons take up time but they are worth it. We have about 5 minutes of SEL each day, as our classes are only 30 minutes, but in those 5 minutes I've learned about their families, sports, free time, struggles, and more.   Did we finish all of the lesson yesterday? No, but my students know that I'm there if they need me.  

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