Stop the tests!
Sometime soon, Jefferson County Public Schools will open its doors to our students, welcoming them back almost exactly a year after those very same doors had to quickly close because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like many other teachers, I am excited to see my students in person and to offer them the hands-on learning environment that I know they need to succeed. I cannot wait to see their eyes light up when they finally understand a challenging concept something that cannot be fully captured on a computer screen.
I know that we will need to nurture our students, because the last year has been difficult for so many families. Some have struggled because of lost jobs, and we have all had to live with the threat or reality of an illness that has harmed so many in so little time. We have also felt disconnected, as months ticked by without visiting with loved ones and friends.