Social Distancing and Distant Teaching and Learning with a hint of Dr. Seuss

My first ever complete online class was at Valdosta State University, in Valdosta, Georgia. It was new for me, and contrary to what I thought, the educational content was just a rigorous, the time demand was just a relevant as physically going to class, and if you are wondering, no, my professor did not take it easy on me. The end result, I achieved! It taught me many things such as, time management, scheduling, discipline, effective communication both verbal and written, commitment and determination just to name a few. 

For many of us distant teaching and learning maybe new. Teaching and or counseling at a distance is new for me personally, but my good buddy Dr. Seuss, laid out some encouragement for me and likewise for you, the reader, as student, teacher, educator, stakeholder, and parent, in his book, "Oh the Places You'll Go".

With great excitement he starts the story off by congratulating us and telling us that we are on our way to great places. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, no matter your role distant teaching and learning or social distancing can open doors for you. Now is the time to explore and pull on your gifts and talents! Parents, you may learn something new about your children and their teacher. It depends on how you look at the cup, half empty or half full running over with opportunity. Educators, the resources are limitless. Stakeholders, how can you assist?

Dr. Seuss continues to encourage us by saying, "When things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew. Just go right along and you'll start happening too." Readers, we have no control over the Coronavirus/COVID-19 or what we are instructed to do as parents, educators, and students, in terms of educating our students and children, and learning as the student. However, we do have control over ourselves. We determine how we react...or not to any situation. "Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you". That's real and that's life but a friend of mine once told me that they never loose, they either win or learn. Learn from mistakes but guess what, we are life long learners and again it's all how we choose as individuals to look at the situation and what we gain from every learning experience be it good or bad!

Next, ladies and gentlemen we have arrived! We have arrived at the "Waiting Place"! Just like in the book, if you are anything like me you are waiting for this social distancing to be over. In a meantime, what are you doing while we are here? Here at what Dr. Seuss refers to as, the waiting place? Remember we can only control how we react.

In the end, just like I succeeded in graduate school in my first ever completely online course, you will too. "And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"! Know that life's a great balancing act. I am with you and we are in this together! Though our current state in this county may be different and challenging we must find the good and positive in every situation. What can you learn or positively take from our current situation with distant teaching and learning? What are your goals during this time? Comment below.

Before I end this note let me leave you with this snippet from The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you for reading,

Oh, The Places You'll Go Read Aloud

References

Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff. (2017, January 12). Serenity Prayer – Applying 3 Truths from the Bible. Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/serenity-prayer-applying-3-truths-from-the-bible.html

Seuss, D. (2020). Oh, the places you'll go! New York: Random House.