
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that it has been weeks since I have felt the urge to blog. Going back to school has been exhausting – even more so than usual because of the Covid protocols. It has taken a couple of weeks for us all to get used to it – in another few weeks, it may begin to feel like normal.
If we were having coffee, you may ask me what protocols are being implemented. I would tell you that the most tiring one is wearing a mask from the time I enter the school premises to the time I leave. Breathing in my carbon dioxide does fatigue me – as does trying to teach with my mouth and nose covered. I find myself needing to make more of an effort not only with breathing but also with speaking. In addition, the children are also wearing mask and it does make it harder for me to hear them and understand what they are saying.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the masks we are wearing have been provided by the school board and are medical grade masks – I can smell it as soon as I put one on. We are expected to wear the masks provided and no other; and to change them frequently. In addition to the masks, we are expected to wash and/or sanitize our hands frequently.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the children also need to wash/sanitise their hands often. We go through the routine each time they enter the classroom and exit to go out for recess/lunch/home. By the end of the day yesterday, I noticed that the children now have the rhythm of cleaning their hands so often.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that my teaching practice has had to change a little. No longer do round tables fill my room: I needed to switch to individual desks due to the Covid expectation of maintaining physical distance between the students. At the beginning of the year, my room looked bare with only the essential furniture in it.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am happy it is the weekend. I am feeling tired and look forward to resting a little. Once I have done my weekend chores, I intend to read and probably nap in the afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, I will figure out what to teach in the upcoming week – and start thinking how I will read with each child and still maintain physical distance.
What would you tell me if we were having coffee?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2020
(This post is linked to Eclectic Ali and the Weekend Coffee Share)