Dear Teachers,
When you signed up to teach this year, you more or less knew what you were getting into. Right? To educate a delightful group of rambunctious students.
And you did wonderfully. Our children were flourishing under your dedication and care. Expectations understood. Rhythms followed.
But suddenly the game changed. School as we knew it was no more. At least for now. The challenges have been enormous: technical difficulties; shifting classroom dynamics; your carefully prepared lesson plans had to be completely rewritten.
And yet amazingly, our children are still learning. We must admit we were a bit skeptical at first. How much can be accomplished over Zoom? Will it be just lectures? How will that work for our younger children? But, creativity is positively flowing.
Our children are learning! They are engaged and enjoying themselves! Interactive kriah games, recreating the Galápagos Island through arts and crafts, music, baking projects, and returning to Zoom after class for special siyum celebrations…
Our children are learning more differently than we could have ever imagined. But learning they are, and we feel blessed that they have such wonderful role models leading the way.
Rabbi and Mrs. Rafi and Toba Wolf
Rabbi and Mrs. Wolf are the proud parents of four TA students ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade. ■