The Governor
rolled out the guidelines this week for Illinois student’s return to the
traditional classroom. The details were lacking…
Imagine
this: You are a first grade teacher with 20 students. You must keep them
socially distanced and keep a mask on their face covering their mouths all day
long. It’s a game changer. Everything about learning in the classroom has be
re-thought.
Coincidentally, I noticed this week that FCHS is looking for a new
school nurse. That’s normally a tough job. Now it’s a daunting task.
The Governor’s
announcement immediately prompted way more questions than answers. Immediately
the teacher’s unions took notice and started discussing how their jobs will
change. I read the words “working conditions,” and “collective bargaining” used
by their leadership.
Here’s the
biggest problem for us. We---here in rural Southern Illinois---don’t look like the
urban areas of the state. We look like Jasper, New Hope and Geff. When union
bosses in Chicago say there needs to be a school nurse in every building, you
know that won’t happen here. We can’t afford it. And yet, this Governor, who has no clue the
disparity between his neighborhood and mine is pushing all of the buttons. He
knows he has to return students to the classroom…he just doesn’t seem to know
how.
You know my
real career was in education. I don’t
envy anyone in local educational leadership right now.
The
expectations for a fall return to the classroom are surrounded by formidable challenges.
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