Real Talk: What It’s Really Like Teaching in 2021

I bet you thought it couldn’t get any worse after teaching in 2020. I mean, how could it get any worse after teaching in all 3 modes: virtual, hybrid, and/or concurrent teaching during a global pandemic? Well, it did. Even though challenges were expected, teaching in 2021 takes the cake for bringing on new and unexpected challenges making it one of the hardest years to teach. So, let’s get right down to it with some real talk, and dish out what it’s really like teaching in 2021.

Challenge #1: Shortages, Shortages, Shortages

Teaching in 2021 has resulted in many shortages. There are shortages among all staff, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, aides, nurses, counselors, substitute teachers, and especially teachers. All of these staff members play a vital role in the success of the school and students. 

For starters, many students rely on bus transportation to and from school but the shortage of bus drivers made this difficult for students and families. As a result, districts had to ask families to drive their child(ren) if able, so students who needed the transportation most could have a seat on the bus. 

Schools rely on paraprofessionals and aides not only as additional support in classrooms but also as extra eyes and hands at recess and in the cafeteria. Not having these additional supports really puts a strain on others.

Teachers rely on substitute teachers to cover their classes when they’re out.  Life happens, teachers get sick. Teachers who have their own kids, need to take off when their kids are sick or are exposed to COVID-19. Due to the sub shortage, there is no one to cover classes. 

Challenge #2: Staff are spread extremely thin

Due to shortages, teachers, as well as other staff members, are spread extremely thin, thinner than pre-COVID-19. Teachers already have a full plate. On top of teachers’ daily professional responsibilities and duties, like teaching, planning, and grading, there are additional responsibilities to do. There are times when teachers are expected to pivot from in-person to hybrid or remote learning whenever COVID-19 cases rise in their class. Observations, walkthroughs, and coaching are still scheduled, as well as unnecessary staff and curriculum meetings that could easily be put into an email. 

Special education teachers, ELL teachers, counselors, paras, and even administrators, are pulled from their regular assignments and duties to cover classes.

The school nurse, who is not only dealing with the common ailments, like bellyaches, colds, anxiety, and recess injuries, but in addition, COVID-19 cases, symptoms, and exposure, contract tracing, documenting, and more.

Everyone’s plate is more than full.

Challenge #3: Learning Loss

There is no doubt that there is going to be learning loss due to the pandemic and this was to be expected, but teachers did not expect the amount of learning loss there actually was, socially, emotionally, and academically. Even with such gaps in learning, teachers are required to teach grade-level material, while struggling to fill in the large gaps of learning without the proper planning time and support staff.

Challenge #4: Lack of work ethic and how to be in school

Students forgot how to do school. Even if students are showing up, the work ethic and qualities of a learner are slim to none. Students are learning “how to do school” again. Teachers have to thoroughly teach and reteach, model and remodel and allow the continuous guided practice of expected behaviors, routines, and procedures of in-person learning.

In some cases, middle and high school students aren’t showing up at all. And even if students in all grade levels are showing up, they most certainly aren’t doing the work they need to help close the learning gaps. 

Challenge #5: Unexpected and unpredictable behavior

Since there is so much focus on closing that learning gap with grade-level materials, students are frustrated and acting out. Parents are, too. Behaviors are on the rise in school and there is a lot of disrespect toward all staff. Teachers realize the effects of the pandemic socially and emotionally on students but shouldn’t be the punching bag. There is a need for less curriculum stuffing and rigid pacing guides, and more focus on social-emotional learning, and mental health. 

Challenge #6: Teacher Self-care

Teacher self-care and wellbeing have been suffering. The effects of pandemic teaching along with professional responsibilities have taken a huge toll on teachers. As much as districts preach self-care to teachers, it is not practiced. More and more responsibilities are being put on teachers and staff members. It’s not okay. Teachers can’t even take a personal day to care for their own mental health due to the sub shortage along with extra responsibilities that they have all been given. As a result, this stress is causing teachers to leave the profession altogether.

Even with all of these challenges, let me just end by saying that teachers are very happy to be “live” in the classroom teaching. There’s nothing like in-person teaching and building relationships with students. However, these challenges, plus last year’s challenges, are like no other years in teaching history.

As 2020 came to a close, I remember saying, “bye-bye 2020, see ya never.” 2021 can take a hike, too.  Many fingers are crossed for a better 2022-2023 school year.

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