Back to School, but Not Back to Normal

If you’re affected by returning to school amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, you have a story in you.

Whether you’re a student, parent or teacher, your story embodies a part of not only your life experience, but also the collective human experience in these unique and challenging times. We’d like to invite you to contribute your experiences and your feelings about them as stories we can share onto our platform in the coming weeks.

My partner returned to the classroom this week as a liberal arts professor. On her first day back, the air conditioning was broken in her classroom. As she arrived to set up for her class, she saw her colleague dripping in sweat through his mask and appearing exhausted as he wrapped up his class.

In my work, many of my colleagues are navigating their juggle of professional obligations and the education of their children, often at home or at a different school setting. I hear the same from my neighbors with young children.

Under the weight of these roles, I’m wondering what compromises are being made to make the best of these circumstances. What’s holding you down, and what’s raising you with hope?

We’d love for you to share your story with us here. You can be as brief or as lengthy as you’d like. You can write your story or record yourself in a video or audio file — whichever feels best for you. Perhaps the only guideline is that you express yourself in a way that feels authentic to you.

If I can help you tell or share your story, please reach me at mike@sharemorestories.com.

Everyone has a story to tell. Allow us to share yours at Share More Stories.

Image credit: Associated Press, via the LA Times