Worried SC teachers speak out about COVID school reopening. ‘A disaster in the making’
Educators across South Carolina are preparing for a school year unlike any in their lifetimes.
Plexiglass drilled into desks. One-way hallways. New sanitization regimes and face masks. Desperate attempts to keep children six feet apart.
The S.C. McClatchy newspapers asked educators if they felt ready to return to school during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 250 teachers, librarians, coaches and other educators from every corner of the state responded to the survey. The vast majority work at public schools, with about two-thirds reporting they will be required to teach students face-to-face starting this month or next.
To avoid professional repercussions and give them freedom to speak their minds, the newspapers are identifying educators by their region and years of experience.
Here’s what they said, in their own words:
Midlands educator, more than 10 years. I have lupus and a son with special needs, and I’m very worried about dying and leaving him alone, or worse him getting sick. I don’t have a choice but to work. I’m a single mom of four.
Lowcountry, more than 10 years. Everyone is confused, overwhelmed and plans are changing daily. Bottom line, I do not feel safe or valued.
Upstate, more than 10 years. My husband and I are both teachers. We have three young children. We updated our will last week. The stress and anxiety we are all feeling is affecting my entire family.
Midlands, 5-10 years. I expect to be exposed and possibly contract COVID. I am attempting to prepare my home and family if this occurs, and I have to quarantine ... We have to look to our medical professionals as to how to handle this situation ... They could not opt out of not going to work and neither can the educational professionals. Now is the time for us to step up, mask up and do our part to help our children.
Lowcountry, more than 10 years. It’s not a question of if there’s (going to be) an outbreak at school but WHEN. I feel like a pawn for the politicians and administrators. We teach so as to empower students in our classrooms, yet here we are totally dis-empowered as teachers. These cracks were evident before COVID-19, but the pandemic has widened them into canyons.
Pee Dee, more than 10 years. I have no clue what resources will be given and therefore I have no idea what I might need. I hope to be provided the essentials for keeping my classroom disinfected including wipes, sanitizer, and similar, but I have no clue what will actually be provided or expected of me.
Lowcountry, more than 20 years. Schools appear to be focused on disinfecting classrooms between classes and doing a once-per-week deep cleaning, with no real evidence that will do any good with an airborne virus.
Upstate, more than 10 years. As I am nearly 60 and my husband is 64 with a heart condition, I am afraid of getting the virus. We have been told that students will be “required” to wear masks but cannot be disciplined in ANY way if they do not ... Also, I have been told to expect 28 to 32 students in each of my classes. Students will be about six inches apart, rather than six feet. This is a disaster in the making.
Pee Dee, more than 20 years. This profession is my “calling.” It’s what I love. I hate the way teachers are being treated because we want to follow the science and protect students and staff. We’re being made out to be pariahs, and it hurts.
Piedmont, more than 30 years. Our district has attempted to prepare all stakeholders as best they can. Each teacher was given five masks, two face shields, one small bottle of hand sanitizer, two rolls of paper towels and two small bags of disinfectant wipes. Tables for small groups were fitted for plexiglass shields. We desperately need Clorox wipes, disinfectant spray and more paper towels.
Lowcountry, 5-10 years. I have a computer lab with 34 computers set up along five rows in a small classroom. There’s no room for social distancing! I’m concerned that students will have emotional difficulties with suggested measures, such as no communal lunch, no group work, no recess or play and no socializing. ... Finally, I’m concerned about dying and leaving my children motherless with only their father and no other family to help.
Midlands, more than 20 years. I consider myself an essential worker, and feel that we as teachers/schools now need to do our part! These kids need the social interaction, sports, a schedule, etc.
Lowcountry, less than 5 years. I have heard nothing about cleaning supplies, who is paying for these, and I can’t afford them. Lysol wipes from Amazon for the year would cost thousands when I priced them out.
Midlands, more than 10 years. We spent the summer with our best professionals developing AccelerateED and then the governor ignored that advice pressuring school districts to go back five days with all students face-to-face … I don’t know the governor’s specific motives but it is clear the health and safety of children and adults in public education are not a priority. As a teacher and taxpayer, I have never felt completely betrayed by elected leaders.
Lowcountry, 5-10 years. We have received zero communication about expectations (of teachers, parents, and students), what our schedules and typical days will look like, safety measures, protocols, and procedures being put in place. We have received zero training at this point, yet every press release makes it sound like that’s what’s currently happening.
Piedmont, more than 20 years. I ... have a compromised immune system. I am terrified of becoming sick and dying early. Have already (informed) my husband and siblings of my end-of-life wishes.
Lowcountry, less than 5 years. In terms of resources, the only thing we’ve been given are reopening plans which are vague, incomplete and constantly changing. We have no firm plan in place, and no idea when that plan will be finalized. Everything feels so last-minute, even though the district has had all summer to prepare for this.
Upstate, more than 30 years. I chose to retire because I would have been required to teach in-person. There was no virtual option for high school teachers.
Upstate, less than 5 years. I’m concerned that we will be back in the same situation as March, and students will not benefit from virtual learning due to not being held accountable for their work, and only receiving participation grades.
Lowcountry, 5-10 years. I care for my 87-year-old mom. She is under home health care because of the risk of being in a nursing home facility. We keep her home to keep her safe. Now I’m told that I have to go back during the most critical time of the pandemic. Do I really have to choose going to work over my mother’s health?
Pee Dee, more than 20 years. Many parents knowingly send their sick children to school. How do I know? The children readily volunteer this information. Then, when the nurse calls the parents to come pick up their child and they can’t be reached, the child is sent back to class. I don’t think the general public realizes how often this scenario occurs.
Midlands, more than 20 years. I am unable to return to work on the advice of my doctor. My district was not making any exceptions for people who needed to work from home virtually, so I retired. I did not know what else to do.
Lowcountry, more than 10 years. (There’s a) lack of flexibility ... for teachers with young children who can’t be left at home. We have to either put our kids in daycare (which flies in the face of ... being virtual to mitigate risk) or pay prices we can’t afford for individual care. For the safety of my family, I will have to quit teaching if I don’t have the option to keep my child at home.
Lowcountry, more than 10 years. We have to teach in-person and online simultaneously! These are two completely different jobs and I feel that teachers cannot do them both and be successful.
Midlands, less than 5 years. I was told that the school won’t buy me sanitary supplies because I am not a traditional classroom teacher (I deal with five times more students than a classroom teacher does everyday.) This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Lowcountry, more than 10 years. Due to our treatment this year I will be resigning the moment I have other employment.
Editor’s Note: Entries have been edited for length and style.
