One of the first things that our family talked about when it became apparent that COVID-19 was coming to our part of the world was whether or not the kids would be able to stay in school. We guessed (correctly) that they would not. What would that mean for Colton? What would that mean for us? Funny, there was no question about how we would school Colton at home.
When I chose retirement/semi-retirement from my long term job in December, trust me when I say that it NEVER crossed my mind I would become a third grade teacher. That said, when we realized that Colton was going to have to continue his education at home (at least for the foreseeable future), there was no question that I would step into that role. Phil, Josh and Laura are all working fulltime jobs – with varying degrees of hours and location required.
Friday, March 20, was our first day of class. It was full of “new” for all of us! Laura and Colton had their morning date via the drive-through at Starbucks. When they arrived I met them outside (because Pop said I had to meet our student on the sidewalk) and Colton asked if he was supposed to call me Ms. Blythe. If you’re reading this and you don’t know Colton, he is full of humor! We settled on him calling me………Nana.
We had the advantage of reviewing the materials in advance and I have the support of all my family adults. I want this adventure to be fun for Colton (and want him to continue learning). We began with him working on a video about his first day. Colton LOVES to take selfies and record himself, so I suspected this would be fun for him. By 9:00 a.m. we were in our first virtual session and those lasted until noon. It’s not realistic that any of the kids can be online for a continue three hours per day but I think those details will be worked out over time. My first day review is that checking in, giving some instructions/support and then allowing the kids to begin working will be enough. It’s hard for the teachers to interact with so many children via video (lots of chatting). It was so heartwarming to see the excitement of the kids when they began to see each other via video. Colton was excited to see his friends and his teachers. We had lunch and afterward we went outside for recess (always his favorite part of the day). He hit a bucket of baseballs and pitched a bucket of baseballs. We then went back to learning. Colton was very patient with the entire process. We supported each other through the day (with check-ins from Josh).
We are all teachers on some level. I think I am nervous about teaching Colton his third grade school work because I just want to make sure he is learning what he needs to so that he is ready to hit fourth grade like a champ. Like all of us, Colton has things that he loves to learn and things that he isn’t interested in. My job is to make sure that he learns all of it.
There is a song by Casting Crowns – The Very Next Thing. Part of the chorus is: “To the very next way you’re gonna use me; Show me the next thing; I’ll do the next thing.” I knew in December when I cleaned out my desk that God would show me the next place that I should be; the next place that He wants me to engage.
My faith tells me that my “next thing” is here and now. It’s teaching third grade to the best boy in the world, while continuing to support my family through a pandemic. This is uncharted territory for all of us and we will get through it one day at a time. Thanks be to God for family.
Nana Reflections 