Month: July 2020

2020 has me thinking about mortality. Death seems all around. Everyday I am reminded of the value of life and being alive. Over the past weeks my life has been touched by death, none related to COVID. All lives cut short.

That is me above in the wreckage of a plane, I was the lucky one, sole survivor of small plane crash that took my parents. Lucky to spend 3 months in a local hospital where my father had worked recovering from broken bones. Lucky to have aches and scares to remind me of the moment of impact. At seventeen my life was rocked. It took time and constant pushing from my loving extended family to realize my survival had meaning. For awhile I asked why I survived, knowing it was due to where I sat in the plane. My parents’ lives were more important in the community being a prominent doctor and education advocate. I was just a high school junior. Why were they gone and me alive? My parents left a legacy on the community of Quincy, IL and with in their 3 children (My two brothers weren’t in the crash). The community celebrated their lives and dedicated a garden in their honor at the community history museum.

Now 32 years later I have constant reminders that life can at any moment can end. Mortality and legacy thoughts fill my brain. How much longer do I have? What will I be remember for? Has my life been worth living or should one of my parents survived? It was only a matter of seating that I survived, what if my mother and I had switched seats?

I live my life focused on making sure it is a life that makes a difference one worth being saved. I have walked down wrong paths sometimes losing sight of this pursuit, getting lost in depressing thoughts or caught up by physical pains. Thankfully my parents memories were captured by the community in a legacy book that has faded over the years. I pull it off the shelf and refresh my focus. Working to pass on my families values and work ethic on to my 3 bright and energetic children.

My oldest son, Griffin, is approaching the age I was when my parents died (17) and the twins are the same age as my little brother was when they passed (12). What would they do if I was gone? Are they prepared to exist independently? I plan on being around for much longer but these questions persist. What legacy am I leaving them? Am I making sure they have skills and values to reflect our family values?

With recent events I have gotten to spend more time the past 5 months with them than in the past. I get to eat breakfast with them, see how they learn and enjoy movie and game nights. Things that never happened growing up the son of a doctor. My children reflect my wife and me. Ecstatic that they represent my family name in the community. Although these months have been trying at times, when I return to face to face teaching and they return to the classrooms I will miss this quality time together.

Cherish your time with family. Leave a legacy with in your children. Life is short let yours reflect your values.

Seeing NFL players tweet #WeWantToPlay today has many teachers reflecting on the school year. The CDC can out with guidelines for schools. Soon after the guidelines are announced both President Trump and the Secretary of Education quickly announced they want schools to open despite the guidelines. Huh?

Lets think about this for a minute:

NFL players make millions, teachers make less than a players game day check.

NFL players provide a form of entertainment, teachers educate the youth.

NFL players will have access to regular testing and entertain once a week for 3 hours, teachers will be teaching 7 hours a day, 5 days a week without any testing protocol.

Which is more essential the NFL or schools.

Schools are doing their best to open, but there are so many questions that need to be answered before this happens. Districts are working hard on multiple plans for the 2020-2021 school year: Online School, Hybrid School and a return to face to face schooling. Budgets are tight without federal or state guidance on what funds will be available for the coming school year. Districts have to make guesses on the finances. Evaluate their infrastructure looking at HVAC systems and their technology capacity. Teachers are honing their skills learning as much as they can to be ready for what ever fall brings. ALL this is being done while fighting the perception that we closed.

We want to teach. We know that teaching face to face is the best mode for our students to learn and provides equity. Teachers need to know that guidelines for safety are being followed, don’t they deserve the same precautions the NFL (or other sports league) is following.

As I woke today I read an article from Michigan Advance “Michigan Teachers not invited to legislative hearing on reopening schools.” Emotions quickly filled my heart: anger, frustration, resentment. Concerned stake holders should not have to turn to media to get their concerns heard like Jessica Mathews. Instead of allowing these feelings to overwhelm me, I decided to testify for the committee via video. I hope the members listen to my words and concerns. I attempt to cover the 3 major concerns I have. I didn’t cover all of my feeling because my teacher voice isn’t the only one, I encourage who ever sees my testimony to share it and create their own. ALL involved in the educational process need to be given a voice on this matter and have their voice heard. I don’t know a teacher who doesn’t want to go back to face to face instruction but there are huge safety and budgetary concerns. Our government is supposed to be “For the People, By the People.” Lets make it that way. In my testimony I forgot to include student and parents voice. These voices are also missing. I hope the committee seeks them out. Please raise up your voice so educational stakeholders concerns are heard. Lobbyist and special interest groups from out of state should not be the primary voices for reopening our schools.

Thanks for listening to me. Lets work on a plan that involves all state stakeholders to reopen schools.