Pandemic Teaching

One of my students just called me and in his very broken English told me I upset him in class today because I wasn’t on screen the whole time. He was in tears and his father yelled at him. Why wasn’t I on screen the whole time?

Because I was walking around my classroom trying to check in on the twelve kids who showed up today. Because I was trying to get two kids who have done zero work because of their utter terror of technology finally logged into our textbook.

Because I was making a tiny bit of progress with two kids, and breaking another.

Because it’s 2020 and I don’t know how to teach anymore. 💔

But I wore this mask and put up the new background fireworks to celebrate a candidate who literally has the power to change or save their lives and their families’ lives, and I smiled.

So why am I crying now?

Even with Masks, We Smile

they came in numbers.

almost fifty percent. yes.

2020 win.

Baker Love

walking history

in one of the oldest ‘hoods

same heartbreak, some hope

Snowantine

no snow day for us

but i ski between meetings

beating remote games

Teen Life

some glow before snow

our weekend wrapped in moments

without argument

Concert-goer, 2020 Style

a small taste of truth

in every word of their songs

(i can watch from here)

Smile and Nod

tried to woo them here

but only a few have come

so this is my life

What Is Left?

hours of phone calls

texts pleading in languages

i don’t even speak

setting up my room

with a yardstick and some hope

ready for today

social media

comments on our lack of space

(century-old school)

2020 wins.

after this, i just give up.

no one came to school.

to walk empty halls

without the student voices

cold. slow. loveless. death.

Ready not Ready

working from home ends

now i must say bye to pup

reality bites

Democracy in Action

on this dreary day

plagued by plagues, wildfires

votes matter so much