From the Desk of Dr. Davis, Superintendent of HPS | A Look Back—Lessons 2020 Taught Us

The manner in which we come to interpret events in life is everything. This is particularly true when we experience instability in our lives and a break from our normal patterns and routines. The PreK-12 school community has certainly experienced a great deal of upheaval and change since March 13, 2020. COVID-19 had a dramatic influence on just about everything we did related to school. We have had to seize a crisis and turn it into a new opportunity. I surrender, isn’t that what the education system should always be doing—always striving for continuous improvement?

It appears as though the majority of opinions resonate that people can’t wait to rid themselves of 2020 and ring in the new year. I admit that I have felt that numerous times myself. However, I think as we look to the new year, we should reflect on what were positive outcomes from 2020, at least from an education perspective. Here are my top thoughts.

Affirmation of the teaching profession: As caregivers at home were suddenly thrust into being teacher at home, many reflected on and expressed a greater admiration and appreciation for our teachers. The individuals who choose to be a teacher do so from a servant heart, love for children, and desire to pay forward what they appreciated in learning. They do so selfishly and spend countless hours, resources, and even time from their own families to care for and educate the children in their care. So, when parents found themselves gathered around the kitchen table zooming, trying to connect virtually with 2-3 learners, who may/may not have gotten along for greater than 10 minutes, with the new math that was different from when they were in school; they couldn’t imagine doing this every day with 25+ students at a time. 2021 Resolution-Thank your child’s teacher—frequently.

A community that collaborates and shares resources: Organizations across the Holland/Zeeland Community have been meeting regularly since COVID-19 began to mobilize and strengthen partnerships to address the growing needs in the community. Individual mission statements were set aside, to address the common good and care for anyone in need. The support that was provided to schools was overwhelming. Existing partnerships were improved, and new relationships forged. Some that may have never crossed paths without this crisis afoot. So, now, we have to be intentional and strategic to carry forward these partnerships, even when things are seemingly good. 2021 Resolution-Consider a donation to a local non-profit serving in our community.

Family Engagement: Educators have often asked for more family engagement in schools. During this era of online/hybrid/remote learning, the amount of communication and emails from parents/students has increased substantially. So much so, it is difficult to keep up. Educators are attached to their devices working to respond in real-time. Whether it was by design or default, there is an incredible opportunity to engage families in their child’s education with even greater intentionality. 2021 Resolution-Find ways to engage in meaningful ways to support learning at home and at school.

Remote Learning/Work: While certainly challenging in the beginning, our educators and students have found ways to be effective in engaging learning beyond the classroom walls. The creativity of Zoom meetings, projects that engaged the whole family, the ways in which students collaborated, the use of learning management systems, the stretching and creativity of teachers to try new things they never thought possible; we are at a tipping point of opportunity to change the way in which we provide education. The use of technology can be a big differentiator if done well. It can simplify and yet expand the learning. It can be more individualized and improve growth more rapidly. But, it has to be accessible 

and reliable to everyone. 2021 Resolution-Ubiquitous Broadband in our community. Educators keep taking risks!

Mental Health/Wellness: Thanks to the work of many in the social sciences, we now have a better understanding of the needs of our students. COVID-19 exposed so many inequities, some known and others not. Hidden behind a mask, we have opened a window to the life-experiences of our students in new ways. It really is unfortunate that we didn’t have a better understanding of the need than we did, but now that we do, we can begin to address mental health/wellness in our community and let everyone know that it is not a stigma and help is available. 2021 Resolution-Be NICE

Structures/Routines: When the expectations are clearly defined, taught, and modeled, it is amazing what greatness can grow from that. Districts’ Return to Learn plans evaluated and defined over 250 new structures and routines for the return back to school. We did so successfully mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Strategic teams were assembled across the school community to define these new expectations. Students responded, and we moved forward. Imagine the possibilities if we put forward this same level of energy around learning and career advancement in our community! 2021 Resolution-Summer Enrichment Programs to mitigate the learning loss of 2020.

These are but a few of the many lessons learned in 2020. As we look toward the future and what 2021 will bring, let’s continue to build upon a crisis that in the end, has the capacity and opportunity to change the education system for the better.