I was out early this morning for a jog, listening to a recording from Gordon B. Hinckley, all the way back from 1974.  Then a leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hinckley’s topic was about choosing to be optimistic, despite the overwhelming political and social challenges of the day.  I wasn’t alive in 1974, so I can’t make a direct comparison, but I smiled to think what he would have been saying about 2020.  It’s certainly been a tough year.

I was feeling that toughness a bit this past week.  After a month of school, some of our teachers were already finding it difficult to sustain the 6+ straight hours of rotating small groups every day.  I found myself discussing structural adjustments and possible solutions with members of the leadership team.  In our own house, one of our children had a bit of a breakdown on Friday night after we discovered that the work being turned in for the day had not met expectations.  While siblings enjoyed our Friday movie night tradition, I sat with my child who worked through revisions and some tears.  Of course, a long weekend helps in these moments.  Labor Day in the US this weekend, and here in Costa Rica we have an extra day off this coming weekend in celebration of Costa Rican independence.  It’s a good time to recharge batteries. 

Yet, despite the challenges, I couldn’t help but think about the need to find space for gratitude and optimism.  Certainly in our family, we have been tremendously blessed.  I have had the opportunity to join the Lincoln community and family.  While starting a new job in distance mode and building initial relationships through a computer screen has been challenging, I can’t imagine a more supportive school community.  Lincoln School, with 75 years of history, has found ways to perservere and thrive in the midst of the pandemic.  The teaching and support staff have continually sought out innovative ways to connect with our students and families, from 8 nights of Back to School Night, to Virtual Recess, to weekly Mindful Meetups.  Kids across the school, including my own children, have been engaged by upbeat and enthusiastic teachers.  Certainly I know that behind the scenes, it hasn’t been easy, but everyone gives their best for the benefit of our students.

Distance learning has also had some personal benefits for a me as a full-time educator and administrator.  For starters, I’ve been able to eat dinner with my family almost every single night for nearly 6 months.  Of course my kids might be growing weary of my face, but I know how precious and fleeting these years are when our kids are small and at home.  Many of my colleagues have expressed similar sentiments, from an unexpected college student returning home for a few months, to a return to daily time for reflection in nature or reading.  In a much broader sense, it seems that the working world may even be developing a greater appreciation and understanding of the essential role that educators play in our day to day lives.  Those outside of the professional are being reminded that ensuring our kids can read, write, do math, and think critically is much more than child care (not to mention the economic impact when parents don’t have a place to send their children during the working day).   

Of course the point of being optimistic is not to assume everything is wonderful.  Gordon B. Hinckley reminds his listeners back in 1974 that it wasn’t time for rose-colored glasses.  Those were sobering times, and we don’t have to pretend that our current circumstances are any less challenging.  It’s okay to wish for a return to in-person classes, or struggle with the day to day energy and motivation necessary to continue engaging students through Zoom calls.  I certainly am looking forward to the time when my work day doesn’t require me conducting work meetings while simultaneously trying to keep my 10 year old off of YouTube.  But until then, we persevere, with gratitude for our privilege to connect in isolation, and appreciation for those who continue to put themselves at risk for the benefit of our collective health and prosperity.  We optimistically push for broader connectivity and access, recognizing that while we are still far from our goal of universal access, there is evidence that the pandemic is forcing us further in the right direction.