Put a little gratitude in that attitude!

The view is quite different from the other side.

Being back in the classroom, as an "older student" and having taught for 15 years gives me an amazing perspective from both sides during this pandemic.

Let me tell you a little story:

For the past year, I have heard graduate students who have chosen to enroll mid-pandemic in online learning express how they have been "cheated"out of an education. Ok, that's fair...but it's not the University's fault the pandemic happened, and they have worked tirelessly to make the best out of this mess. These students, families & law makers all of the sudden have become experts. Sound familiar?

Imagine how frustrating it must be to be the 3rd professor in 3 weeks because no one can rise to the expectations of private school graduate students. It must be disheartening to hear 25 year olds give a seasoned professor advice on how to teach, when the instructor is an expert in their field and has adapted seamlessly to the outrageousness of this pandemic. It must be difficult to keep a two year old busy and quiet for 3 hour zoom classes, while you lecture, and miss bed time on top of that. But don't worry...it's all good. You are also expected to keep your students engaged, motivated, talking, challenged, but provide enough support, flexibility, give them reading but be understanding if they don't do it.

It's impossible to make everyone happy.

Empathy goes both ways, doesn't it?

Remember a year ago when teachers were heroes and then all of the sudden... they weren't? You recall all those words of praise that quickly turned not so pretty?

Empathy fatigue is real.

We all have heard and spoken the words, "we're all in this together", "we're all a family" & "it takes a village." Especially during this pandemic, right?

Ok. Let's act like it.

The other day, I opened my email to find the most heart-warming messages of praise, encouragement and admiration from my professors. And it made my day, it gave me strength, optimism & motivation. We all need this. It took my teachers under 2 minutes to draft that email, empower me, spread joy and positivity. In that moment, I had a flashback to the AOL times where chain letters were a thing. If you didn't pass it on or pay it forward, you'd have bad luck. LOL. That humored & inspired me to pass on the positivity, cause the more positive energy you put out there, the more comes back to you. Yeah, all that corny stuff they say is actually true. I emailed that one professor who has juggled parenthood, teaching & the pandemic to express my appreciation. And guess what? She responded with "You made my day."

Same.

Back when I was a teacher, I'd make it a point to write positive emails home, acknowledging students' smallest successes. I imagine it felt nice for parents & kids to hear, and be praised authentically. It was not uncommon for parents to have a shocked reaction when being told positives. A phone call from school doesn't usually mean good news, it's something they were not used to hearing, or never even knew about their child.

But it's a little bit different on the other side, as a student, and it shouldn't be. Teachers, adults, & the elderly all need to feel appreciated. Kids need to be taught to show gratitude, appreciation, build people up & not hide their goodness.

And I will pass those beliefs onto my kids. I know "this pandemic is the worst." (Chawda, L.) but in order to build optimism & resilience, we need to recognize & be grateful for the opportunities, even when it doesn't feel like much. So, today, before my kids sit in front of their screens for the day, checking off another assignment, they will start by sending their positive energy & gratitude into the world. I imagine their kindness & love will put a smile on all of their grandparents' faces, located in all corners of the world.

After all, "kindness is the mark we leave on the world."