Stop for a second and think back to just a few months
ago...
It's the first day of school; the halls are filled
with excited students, happy parents, and determined teachers. Classrooms have
been arranged and decorated for the new school year. You are eager to get
through the first few days, set a schedule and get down to the business of
learning!
Now, imagine just weeks into the school year...
You arrive at school as usual to begin your day.
However, this is not an usual day. You learn that your classroom may not be a
safe environment for your students. Because of this, you have been given hours
to pack up the materials you need to teach, relocate them, and set up a new
classroom for tomorrow.
This was a reality for many Watertown Elementary
teachers. On Monday, September 14th, we were told we would begin classes at
Watertown High School on Tuesday, September 15th. We were all overwhelmed,
frustrated, and determined by the time we got home that night. We were
determined that despite all that was happening, our students wouldn't miss a
beat of learning.
On Tuesday morning, teachers met the students at the
busses and used all our resources to make this an easy transition day. Was it
perfect? No. Was it successful? Yes!
We have now been housed at Watertown high school for
almost 3 months. We have been accepted by the faculty and staff and have been
treated with much hospitality. Many teachers willing gave up their classrooms
and materials for us. Not only have we been displaced but so have the high
school students and teachers. Schedules were changed and new rules were
implemented to make this arrangement work. We are very thankful for all that
Mr. Luttrell, his faculty and staff have done for us.
There are days we are still overwhelmed and
frustrated. We don't always have the materials we need, or things we would like
to have for our students, but we are still determined... Determined to give the
students 100% of what we have to ensure that their learning continues. There is
much truth to the saying "Good teachers can teach in any situation"
because it is happening everyday at Watertown High School!
We are more than ready to go "home," but
in the mean time... We will "Keep calm and teach on!"
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