As the world faced the pandemic, many teachers faced a new challenge: keeping students safe and productive during the outbreak. Here are some of the lessons they learned.
- Be prepared for the pandemic: Teachers who were proactive in preparing for the pandemic ensured that their classrooms were ready for when the virus hit. They stocked up on supplies like tissues and hand sanitizer and ensured that their classrooms were clean and germ-free.
- Make sure your students are vaccinated: If your students are not vaccinated, ensure they are vaccinated before the pandemic hits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all students aged 11-12 years receive the HPV vaccine, and all 13-18 years receive the flu vaccine.
- Encourage your students to stay healthy: Teachers should encourage their students to stay healthy by keeping them hydrated and eating a balanced diet. They also stressed the importance of washing hands and avoiding sick people.
- Ensure your students have access to mental health support: Many teachers discovered that their students needed emotional support during the pandemic. They made sure to provide counseling and therapy to their students and facilitated group sessions to help them cope.
- Be prepared to handle disruptive students: During the pandemic, some students became disruptive and uncooperative. Teachers had to be prepared to deal with their students calmly and constructively, even if this meant temporarily suspending them from class.
Many people were not prepared for the pandemic, so they were unable to handle the situation. It is important to be prepared for anything and have a plan in place in an emergency.
