The ongoing challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic—including quarantine, vaccinations, and mask mandates—continue to baffle many of us. For instance, why is it considered unbearable to wear a face mask at the grocery store to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 when healthcare workers wear them for hours on end? Or why is it too much to ask that people enjoy watching football at home instead of cramming into a friend’s living room with a crowd of unmasked individuals? The pandemic is still ongoing, and it’s important to be mindful of safety.
Now that vaccines are being rolled out, one question stands out: why aren’t teachers prioritized for vaccination ahead of others who don’t bear the responsibility of educating and caring for dozens of potentially COVID-infected children?
We find ourselves amid yet another push to reopen schools across the United States, yet many teachers remain uncertain about when they will receive their vaccinations. We are again asking educators to do more with less. They are often depicted as heroes, working extra jobs, spending their own money on classroom supplies, and even risking their safety to protect students.
This past year, we demanded the unimaginable from teachers: to simultaneously instruct students in person and online without any additional planning time or compensation. They had to redesign their entire curriculum to fit a digital format while many students lacked the necessary technology. Despite their own children participating in virtual learning from home, teachers were still required to teach in person. And amidst all this, they were not included in crucial decision-making processes.
Having once been a teacher myself, I understand the frustration that comes with being left out of significant district decisions, even though teachers are integral to the educational system. Being handed new directives and materials with a simple instruction to “make it work” is all too familiar.
Unfortunately, the stress and morale of teachers have taken a hit as they have been told they must return to in-person instruction without being vaccinated, despite the ongoing pandemic. This is the harsh reality for many teachers across the country, including those who have spoken anonymously about their experiences.
For example, a friend of mine who teaches in a large suburban school district shared a troubling story about a student who repeatedly pulls down his mask. Despite various attempts to involve the principal and even the student’s doctor, the school has been unable to enforce mask-wearing. Another teacher from an urban district was mandated to teach in-person full-time while her own children attended school virtually. This left her scrambling for childcare during a pandemic, which was anything but safe.
Moreover, one teacher who has been part of the system for over a decade expressed disappointment when her district failed to survey teachers about reopening plans while parents were consulted. It’s disheartening that parents had a say, yet those tasked with educating their children were left out of the conversation.
As we reach nearly a year into this pandemic, the tragic loss of over 500 teachers due to COVID-19 cannot be overlooked. Teachers like Alex and Maria Johnson, who both sacrificed their lives to serve their students, remind us of the stakes involved.
While some educators are mobilizing to make their concerns heard—participating in protests and advocating for safer working conditions—the reality remains that many school buildings lack the space, supplies, and funding necessary to ensure a safe environment for reopening.
Virtual learning has emerged as a workable solution, albeit imperfect. It allows for continued education while prioritizing safety until teachers can be vaccinated, ensuring that they are not putting their lives at risk.
Recent statements from health authorities suggesting that schools can reopen without teacher vaccinations feel dismissive. As an advocate for public health, I appreciate expert opinions, but the emphasis should be on expediting vaccinations for teachers to safeguard their health and the well-being of their students.
In conclusion, teachers deserve a voice in critical decisions regarding the reopening of schools during this pandemic. It is vital to involve them in discussions that affect their safety and livelihoods.
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Summary:
The debate surrounding the reopening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the exclusion of teachers from critical decision-making processes. Teachers are being asked to perform impossible tasks without the necessary support or vaccinations, raising questions about their safety and the value placed on their contributions. As the situation continues to evolve, it is imperative that educators are included in discussions that directly affect their health and well-being.