Nothing is Better Than My Classroom

As I sit in front of my window, on this snowy Saturday afternoon, I am reflecting on the third week of virtual learning, we here in Ontario are about to undertake on Monday. 

It's been a while since I have sat down and typed out my thoughts (or even recorded them in a microphone for that matter). I, along with every other educator world-wise, have all had a world wind school year and I am finally finding time to muse over my pedagogical practice and share, again.

That being said, this blog is very different than most of my previous entries, but it this is just what naturally flowed out of me today and in the past couple weeks;

I hope you enjoy it and are able to relate. Your comments are always welcome below ❤️

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The first day of online teaching in 2021, I sat down at my perfectly placed barn wood desk, lit my candle lit, took in the beautiful sun shining in on my face and I sighed to myself: "This is the life". ​
​But I have to admit, it wasn't until finishing up my first class at 11:00AM that I started to have a number of realizations and began drafting this post... 

​My aesthetically pleasing desk embellished with plants, pictures and perfectly scented candles, 
is not better than my classroom. 

It’s totally incredible having a coffee warmer that never leaves my side (I think this was the first coffee I drank fully, this year!),
but nothing is better than my classroom.

Sure, I can finally see my student's perfect faces and smiles without a mask, on my computer, 
but nothing is better than my classroom.

Yes, it's true, I can be in my comfy pants / pyjama pants / track pants and NO ONE will know, 
but nothing is better than my classroom.

Although I can more easily access the washroom,
still, nothing is better than my classroom. 

I am living the dream.... I can get up 15 minutes before class and be EARLY, 
but nothing is better than my classroom. 

It's fabulous, I don't have sore feet from walking a marathon around my class school in heels, 
but nothing is better than my classroom. 

I have saved tons money on commuting, buying coffee and lunches, 
but nothing is better than my classroom.

At last, I no longer have to wipe 23 desks and chairs, pencils and pencil sharpeners on the daily,
but nothing is better than my classroom. 

I fortunately don’t have to try & teach through a mask any more & wash my hands 209 times a day,
but nothing is better than my classroom.

My kitchen is a few steps away, I don't need to pack a lunch and I can snack on my favourite meals, 
but nothing is better than my classroom.

Yes, I can turn on some ambient background music while I plan and mark without being disrupted, 

​
The point I am trying to make is that I would give up the conveniences, the amenities and the "comfort" of teaching from home TODAY - to be able to walk into my classroom TOMORROW.
Even if that means: masked up, a sore throat from straining my voice to speak through said mask and dried hands from the amount of sanitizer I use daily... 

This pandemic has made me realized that having a classroom is more than just a few walls with desks and boards... It's a space that I have taken for granted, along with EVERYTHING that comes with it. Yes, that means the cold coffee, the masks, the noise, the classroom management... but they are grains of salt compared to value obtained from in person teaching: hearing the laughs, circulating class and chatting 1:1 with students, feeling the class dynamic and facilitating community through discussions. 

If that's not enough of a reason why I would choose my classroom any day over online teaching,
it's important to mention that my classroom is not only my home, but it's my student's home.
Our classroom is where we have worked so hard to create a safe space for everyone to feel comfortable sharing ideas, expressing thoughts and taking risks. We have even decorated it with our poetry, our posters and our learning. 

​I understand that it may not be the safest place for us to gather, at the moment, but as a passionate in person teacher, I live and thrive off the energy of my students. Their Aha moments, their jokes, their collaboration. Not only do I TEACH better, in class, but I truly believe, for most of my students, they LEARN better in class. 

Yes, we are all doing our A B S O L U T E best at creating that classroom dynamic in our virtual classrooms, but it will never be better than my classroom.