Bear with me,I need to speak on a very concerning trend I’m seeing: the overwhelming number of ppl complaining about classes online.

We are weeks into an unprecedented scenario in American history. We are living through a period of not just uncertainty, but uncomfortability.

As such, we need to recognize that concessions need to be made, sacrifices are going to happen, and appeasement is not the main priority.
I’m constantly hearing how much of an “inconvenience” classes online are, and how people “didn’t sign up” for online classes.

Well, the world didn’t “sign up” to be maligned by a virus. Families didn’t “sign up” to lose members to sickness. Doctors and nurses didn’t “sign up” to battle on the front lines every day, putting themselves and their families at risk without adequate PPE,

The hundreds of thousands dead didn’t “sign up” to die, the millions of Americans now unemployed and struggling to find a way to survive didn’t “sign up” for economic ruin. Yet, some feel emboldened to complain because the institutions of learning...

are continuing to try and uphold their solemn duty in the face of unprecedented circumstances, solely out of love, compassion, and a desire to ensure that the youth of America are not left behind or forgotten during this time.
What would the preference be, honestly?

Close all the schools and make students repeat this semester? No way. That would leave millions across the nation w/o access to food. That would set millions back in their academic trajectory. That would leave millions unprepared for national exams still happening.

Other options? Cancel the semester & let everyone pass. I find this particularly upsetting. Not only because it devalues education by essentially saying “you don’t REALLY need to know this” if we can just gloss over and let everyone “pass”, but also because its a terrible lesson.

In the face of adversity we push forward. We strive. We persevere. We overcome. We do NOT throw up our hands and say “screw it.” We do NOT say “oh well, you’re problem”, we find solutions. We do not give in to apathy, we double down on industriousness.

It is blatantly evident that those who will be hit hardest by this will be those in the lower economic brackets. Positions will not be replaced, layoffs will be extended. It is imperative that this generation recognize the enormity of this moment.

Now, more than ever, education is of the utmost importance. Those with highly skilled, high demand positions will regain full employment and reap the rewards of an economy that will rebuild, retool and rebound. Competition for those jobs will increase tenfold.

And yet, we want to ignore the writing and the wall and give up trying to position students for this inevitability? I think not. Students, if there is EVER a time you should be clamoring for an education, HOWEVER it can be provided to you...that time is NOW.

You should be banging down the doors to ensure you’re not getting left a step behind. A step behind, in today’s world...may never be regained. I can assure you of one thing, there are families out there hiring private tutors, forcing kids to read, write, study...

etc so than can keep a leg up on everyone who is sitting at home wishing school was cancelled so they can spend more time doing what? Nothing. Sitting around bored and complaining. The future leaders of this nation and its economy aren’t complaining, they’re plotting.

They’re plotting how to take advantage of this to get ahead, stay ahead, & keep others from doing the same. Instead of complaining that schools are trying to remain dutiful, we should be praising efforts to upend a century old methodology in a matter of weeks, for your benefit.

I understand in many cases there may be technological impediments to distance learning. I am not ignorant to this fact. But there are ways to remedy this, and working with your school/ district can resolve that. No child is being forgotten.

Simply saying “I couldn’t do it” is not an option during these times. Be assiduously determined to succeed. Stepping stones over stumbling blocks....you decide. It’s time to grab the bull by the horns and build your future. Turn the “inconvenience” into an opportunity. Abdel

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