A quarantine might be very discouraging experience, since it totally changes our lives and routines!
When I first found out about the pandemic and how a quarantine was necessary to avoid catching the virus, I felt kind of relieved because I had just come out of surgery and needed to rest due to some health complications. At first, I was very comfortable being home and not to travel to and from my home and workplace. As time passed, I started feeling anxious (because I am a people person) and really missed the interaction I have with my students in the class. I decided to be more positive through this ordeal and creating a more relaxing environment for my students, allowing them to enjoy the time they were spending (around 7 hours) in front of a screen.
Although, I have the support Colegio Montano offers. I realized there were things that I needed to learn, people like me, who were not born in the technological era, needed to adapt our content and also our methodology to fit present needs, therefore, I am attending webinars, and reading a lot about new strategies to online teaching.
This is my second point, learning from the experience that was presented to my life, and not only from the technological or academic point of view but from an empathic and humane point of view as well. It is very possible the person on the other side of the screen is somehow facing the same feelings of confinement, frustration, and anxiety, I had felt. The ability to learn from my own feelings helped me understand others; this became a great asset. This eventually, caused my groups and me to work in harmony and with hopes that everything will be alright at the end.
I am a firm believer that God has a purpose for every event in my life, I have learned to accept things in my life with a smile and to be thankful for what I am able to experience that at the end helps with my spiritual growth. I am getting through this by helping others at the same time others are helping me.
Somehow being positive, learning from the experience, and being thankful have set a different environment around me. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Our future looks immensely encouraging and shiny. There is nothing we face that we are not given the courage and strength to overcome, and with this end in mind, our endeavors should be aimed towards unity and synergy to the best version of ourselves.
We were asked to share photos of our students to demonstrate how they spent their learning during our present challenge. When I saw them I was shocked to see how well they have adapted, and how they have made an effort to respond to this serious event; the maturity they are displaying by preparing a space to study, the responsibility of connecting at the right time, the adaptations parents are implementing to healthy studying environments for them. Not once have I heard a complaint from my students and that is encouraging because those efforts set the standards to continue with the Colegio Montano quality and proof an effective student.
Thank you, my beloved students, for being part of this, for being so committed to your education, each one of you has a special place in my heart. I love you and I feel honored to be a part of your growth and to also be a witness of the bright future that is ahead of you.
We are building every day in our virtual classes!
