October 5, 2021
Classroom Chronicles
COVID in the Classroom.
By Shirley Jones Luke
1 min read
I found out today that more than half of the students in one of my classes aren't vaccinated against COVID-19. When asked by an admin, several hands shot up in the air — some with pride. I stood there in shock and moved away from the group. Alarm bells sounded in my mind. My anxiety levels shot up.
Despite being vaccinated and soon to get a booster shot, I am one of many Americans who are immunocompromised. This means that my immune system is weaker due to other medical issues. Namely, for me, it's cancer and subsequently a heart condition brought on either by my cancer treatment, the Pzifer vaccine, or a combination of the two. Being in a classroom full of unvaccinated students is not an ideal situation for me.
But what can I do? If I say something, I'll be made to look like the bad guy. Or the district will force me to take a leave of absence — most likely unpaid. With a kid in college, I need my coins. I don't have much else going on for me. Medium isn't paying me for my stories and I haven't won a poetry contest since last year. So my main source of income is education.
The virus is taking its toll on the students. I have a few students out for the week due to COVID exposure. One student can't come back until he has a negative COVID test. Several students have been sent home, but many more come to school sick and refuse to see the nurse. All I can do is wipe and spray my desks between classes. I must wash my hands at least ten times a day when I'm at work.
To help the students who are missing classes, I post the daily assignments and Google lessons slide on Google Classroom. I leave messages for my classes on the main page, informing them that the information has been posted. I encourage students who missed a class to get the work in. For some students, it's like pulling teeth to get any work turned in. In the meantime, I have to make sure students are engaged, on task and have little or no downtime. My evaluation (and career) are on the line.
I'm tired and stressed. But I have to keep going. I need for this pandemic to be over. Between students being out for days at a time or sent home from school, learning is taking a hit. I don't know how we will make it through the school year.