Going Back to School 2020

Going back to school in 2020 presents unique challenges all around. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, whether we’re talking about K through 12 or college, this school year will be unlike any before.

Children need school and the interactions with teachers and other kids. If I had school age children, I would be very concerned – in fact, I’d be frightened at the possibilities. Teachers love teaching and want to teach, but they are are frightened, too. This Fall the choices you make could be life or death choices.

Many schools and colleges have already opted to at least start the school year with online learning, which presents its own obstacles and problems. Some school systems are offering a combination of online and in person learning. And others are offering in person in the classroom only. Assuming everybody has their books at home, parents can do a certain amount in the interim, but I never felt really qualified to teach a range of subjects – I felt I’d always be just one step ahead of my child.

I don’t think there is a perfect solution, but we should be cautious in proceeding since what we do will have wide ranging consequences. Hopefully we will survive this “experiment in learning in the middle of a pandemic” and there will be an effective vaccine available next year if not sooner.