I myself am no longer in school for the first time, but I feel for many students today. While this year has presented many challenges, there is one that should not go unnoticed: school.
School is a blessing, but it's hard to appreciate something that is making people feel like they are drowning. I do however have perspectives of both sides. It is certainly not easy for teachers to have to teach an entire lesson or most lessons online. That lack of in person instruction, takes a toll for both parties involved. This applies both socially and intellectually. It is well known that students learn in different ways. However, this new setup makes options limited. Students feel they wake up to have piles of work to do that are never ending. They are dreading classes. Teachers feel this pain because they do not wish to pile on, but they need their students prepared. At the end of the day, teachers have a job.
But, in all this, I feel that teachers can also be blinded. Students have very few days off. On top of this, it's likely there will no longer be the excuse of a snow day because technology has made it even easier to stay on task. This is both a good and bad thing. For example, as adults now have easy access to phones, it makes it almost impossible to ever have a true day off: especially those in higher positions. There is no break. Every human being has a limit and snow days or any time off, serve the unintentional purpose of a mental health day.
Despite the lack of time off, teachers are taking it upon themselves to super-load their students with work. They can't catch up. Virtual classes make it easier to assign beyond reason. People get carried away and lose sight: that just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
You don't water a plant by spilling a bucket of water into a pot. No. You give little by little, so that it has time to absorb the water that is given.
So teachers, I understand your situation is just as difficult and you may be dealing with some serious pressure, but have mercy on your students. Treat them as plants and give them time to absorb the knowledge you have to provide. Lighten the homework and focus on the quality that can be gained during class. Students dread listening to their lesson knowing they have more work at the end of it all.
Just like adults like to kick back with a glass of wine at the end of their shift, students also need time to relax their bodies and minds.
All I ask, is to have sympathy and re-consider the quantity of work assigned: as technology has contributed to the increase of workload in an exponential way.
