LOS ANGELES – In her wildest dreams, Kimberly Haim never imagined she would be teaching kindergarten remotely. But here she is, in her dining room, with 20-something sets of eyes staring back at her from the computer screen. The last time she saw this class in person was in March.
“I remember saying goodbye to my students and not knowing that that was goodbye," she said, choking back tears. "It’s still so hard for me.”
What You Need To Know
- LAUSD school year begins August 18
- Teachers given 10 hours of training in online instruction
- Therapist spoke to teachers about creating a home workspace
- Unclear when campuses will reopen
Transitioning to a remote model was a bit of a learning curve but she gives the district an A in the way they’ve supported her and her colleagues. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner says most teachers were given 10 hours of training in online instruction and many have signed up for an additional 30 hours of professional development specifically for online learning that begins this week.
Haim says she got emotional support too, including a therapist who spoke to teachers about creating a workspace at home and about giving themselves space to come to terms with the change.
“I am grieving," she said. "I am grieving that I don’t get to go to Room 3 and I don’t get to sit with my kids on the rug and I don’t get to hug them like 1,900 times a day.”
She also has work and life balance to deal with. Two kids who are also learning at home and a new puppy that occasionally makes an unexpected appearance. It is a juggle and there isn’t exactly an end date. The district has announced the new school year will start on August 18, but they haven’t decided when they will reopen the buildings. Which means, Haim could be welcoming a new crop of kindergarteners right here.
“Like, it scares me," she said. "I’m not going to say that it doesn’t. But I feel very strongly that it can be done.”
And while she desperately misses her classroom, she was relieved to hear the district isn’t going to rush them back into it before it is deemed safe.
“As much as I would love to see the burden alleviated, I would rather take on the very difficult part of teaching from home than really putting anybody’s life at risk," she said.
When the doors to Colfax Charter Elementary School do reopen, she looks forward to welcoming her next class with open arms.
“Hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs, hugs," she predicts, "all day long.”
But for the foreseeable future, she is fine with those hugs, and her lessons, being virtual.
