It is not easy to tell how educators can move forward past Covid-19 after everything they have endured over two years. Teachers have had a trying two years as they have attempted to do their job despite trying circumstances. Likewise, it isn’t easy to overstate the impact of COVID-19. It affected every sector of life and even shut down society. However, few faced the challenges that teachers faced. Indeed, as schools went virtual, the difficulty of conducting classes online became a pain point for parents, students, and districts alike.

How Educators Can Move Forward

After the emergence of several variants and the arrival of the vaccine, though, we’ve finally arrived in the post-COVID era. Just one question remains — what’s next? Find out how educators can move forward and eventually recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledge the Impact of COVID

With COVID concerns waning, many schools are going back to an in-person format, but the transition hasn’t necessarily been smooth. Many kids have struggled to come back after months spent at home, and the switch hasn’t been easy on teachers, either. Many are struggling to readjust as they transition from teaching via Zoom back to teaching in person. Educators need to acknowledge the impact of COVID as they reenter the classroom setting. Students are likely feeling anxious, and discussing these feelings can help prevent them from becoming overwhelming — for students and teachers alike.

Avoid Succumbing to Pessimism

Discussing feelings surrounding COVID is essential, but it’s equally important to maintain a sense of optimism going into the new school setting. Giving in to pessimism will only fuel students’ anxieties and reinforce their fears. Educators must strike a balance between acknowledging COVID — including all of its associated trauma — and an optimistic view of the future. Encouraging students to think about the positive aspects of returning to school can be a great way to start. Focusing on the advantages of in-person learning can help teachers avoid succumbing to pessimism in the post-COVID landscape.

Capitalize on Newfound Adaptability

If COVID taught educators anything, it’s the ability to be adaptable. Without warning, schools were forced to transition to an online format and suddenly adapt to the demands of the pandemic. Though hopefully, nothing like COVID will ever happen again, schools should strive to maintain the adaptability that they gained from experience. Educators can implement it in the classroom by adopting flexible teaching strategies and catering to various learning styles.

Maintain a Focus on Student Learning

In the wake and aftermath of COVID-19, it can be easy to lose focus of what matters the most — students and their ability to learn. Maintaining a focus on this can help educators overcome some of the challenges associated with returning to in-person learning.

The Future

Whether it’s educators liability insurance or anything else, teachers have a full service of options to help them cope. They have responsibilities not just to students, but to themselves. Now is the time to serve students and help students learn while thriving in their classroom.

About PGUI

Professional Governmental Underwriters, LLC., is a full-service risk management company dedicated to assisting public, educational and non-profit entities in the management of their professional liability exposures including educators liability insurance. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art professional underwriting management and loss control advisory services on behalf of our designated carriers. For more information, call us toll-free at (800) 586-6502.