In recent weeks, I have been thinking a lot about a book I read as part of my dissertation research, Tinkering Toward Utopia, by David Tyack. This book, published in 1995, takes an historical view of the reforms in education that happened over the course of a century, noting that in times of rapid change, school policy makers were implementing incremental changes, while more radical attempts to change the traditional patterns of schooling have been more elusive.
Enter a viral pandemic the likes of which we have never seen before and Educators on the front lines have implemented radical changes in the way teaching and learning takes place. Not only are the changes of a magnitude not seen since the Industrial Revolution; Educators had mere days to make these changes. Heroic efforts on the part of Superintendents, Principals, District-Level Administrators, Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Food Service Workers, Custodians, and other Support Staff were witnessed as they stepped up to do all they could to ensure continuity of learning for their students.
School professionals have quickly implemented online learning platforms, sent home physical packets of learning activities for students who don’t have access to technology or Internet, found ways to ensure students would not go hungry, delivered counseling services online or on the phone, and surmounted challenges as the dynamics of the response to COVID-19 have caused changes in our daily lives. It hasn’t always been smooth and it certainly hasn’t been easy, but Educators press on every day.
Along with other frontline workers, Educators are a part of the ranks of the heroes that keep our society going. Yours is a sacred calling to ensure our students continue to learn and grow. The work is not over. There will be plans and contingencies that will need to be implemented as schools prepare for various re-entry scenarios. The TMS Team expresses our appreciation to all school employees for the tireless work you do each day on behalf of your students. We’ve seen your smiles, your tears, your exhaustion, and your rejoicing in victories both large and small, and we couldn’t be more proud to support your efforts.
On behalf of the entire TMS Team,
Dr. Judy Houle, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship
The Management Solution, Inc.