I want to talk for a minute about why re-opening schools was the dumbest thing @GovHerbert could have done. I am not going to talk about the obvious health issues - those are clear and apparent. I want everyone to understand what school actually looks like right now.

I currently teach 140 students. About 60 have signed up for full time online, the other students signed up for full time.

So, for me, one person, I am responsible for 6 classes - 4 in person classes and 2 online classes. Each of which need to be somewhat in sync.

I have to prep for in person - but then that SAME PREP must somehow translate to online. As far as my work load goes - this isn't the problem. The issue becomes uploading and recording everything. I'm easily working 20 extra hours a week just to get content up.

Whatever - that's fine. We know about teacher burn out. And let me tell you, it's fucking burn out.

Do you work an extra 20 hours without pay or overtime? Then shut up. You don't have a voice in the conversation about teaching in a pandemic.

Ok so I've talked about the teachers - what about the students?

Lets start with online. Most of my online kids are honestly pretty great. However, I am not able to fully give them help - because I'm teaching in person too.

Online teaching is not as effective full stop.

However, part of the reason it's difficult is because teachers are juggling about 70 balls in the air. I can't help my online kids, because I literally am teaching in person during the day.

I do have online prep - but I have to PREP FOR ONLINE during that time.

And, the students who aren't doing anything for reasons are just basically disappearing. I can reach out to parents - but it's incredibly difficult to follow up. Why? Because where's the fucking time? Seriously. It's a real issue.

Ok, so now let's talk about in person.

Obviously in person teaching is the most effective. However, this is literally only the case WHEN THERE'S NOT A DAMN PANDEMIC.

Let me tell you what's happening to kids right now.

In my area we are experiencing a surge. Yes, it's happening in the schools - but it's also happening within the whole state.

If a parent gets covid, the student has to quarantine.

If a student gets covid, the students within 6 feet of that student quarantine.

So, it's this ongoing merry go round of students who are suddenly home for 2-4, even 6 weeks depending on family illness, their health, and symptoms.

This is not sustainable.

And this gets me to my point of why we should never have reopened.

We reopened so that @GovHerbert didn't have to have a plan or any kind of online infrastructure.

These kids who are suddenly pulled out of the classroom DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS to SUDDENLY DO ONLINE WORK.

Why? BECAUSE EDUCATION FUNDING WAS CUT.

Because schools don't have laptops.

Because students don't have computer or even internet.

Because there's a disconnect between online and in person.

Because there's a teacher shortage.

So these students who came in person did so to schools who had VERY LITTLE GUIDANCE OR FUNDING OR TOOLS. That was @GovHerbert s plan.

Utah wants to be able to blame schools when this is over. When really, the government refused to set up a proper safety net for students.

You may ask, ok Lindsay so what? Why does this matter?

It matters for a number of reasons.

1. To avoid this, parents and students are literally lying about their illnesses. They are not being truthful, and schools don't find out until up to 6 days later if there's a covid case

This means more spread.

2. Students are spreading covid to their family members, full stop. They are getting it at school, full stop. They get it at school because no real safety measures were enacted by @GovHerbert or the school districts. It's a massive failure.

3. This is important. Students are literally boomeranging in and out of the classroom. This is not good, not just for their grades - but for their mental health. I've had students who have been quarantined at least twice. This is trauma and could have been avoided.

4. and finally, without the resources needed students are suffering. They are falling behind - and it's impacting minority and low income populations the worst. This is systemic, it was avoidable, and @GovHerbert did nothing. I argue it's so he didn't have to shoulder blame.

I know this was a super long thread, but y'all need to understand the strain being put on schools right now.

Teachers can't sustain it. It's only October.
Students can't sustain it, they are fucking children.

Online isn't perfect, but we need a hard reset.

and look I don't often ask for re-tweet, but if you can, re-tweet this thread, or find another one that's better and re-tweet it. @GovHerbert needs to fucking know what it's like to be in the schools right now.

Because it's demoralizing.

and imma add @RobertGehrke to the thread because at least I know he reads Twitter and may have something to say about it.