Page 78 - EdViewptsSpring2021

The Global Pandemic:

The Birthplace for Change

By Dr. Alvin L. Freeman, Assistant Superintendent, Long Branch Public Schools
and Dr. Roberta Freeman, Chief Academic Officer, Long Branch Public Schools

“Every crisis has both its Roblox, perhaps Google Hangouts we? It is certainly more convenient to
dangers and opportunities.” with friends, and those children with have our groceries delivered as it will
siblings were fortunate to play with
give us more time perhaps with our
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. each other, at least until the infamous children or our elderly family members
screaming of “STOP THAT, THAT’S who may reside in our households.
NOT FAIR,” which is a prime indicator Was it not rewarding to actually do
Over the last year, we have that playtime is now over. Our tweens homework with your kids and make
experienced a crisis that has changed and teens are channeling their them dinner rather than allowing a
the traditional way of life like nothing energy by spending hours on TikTok sitter to do so? As we ponder these
we expected or have seen in this (and other social media platforms) questions, we began to feel the
lifetime. In-person, Sunday family performing the latest challenge or magnitude of Dr. King’s quote. Crisis is
dinners where we shared our favorite creating ones of their own. certainly the birthplace for innovation,
family dishes, affectionate hugs and therefore, as we journey to normal,
kisses, and wonderful conversations March marks one year that “school” as why wouldn’t we capitalize on doing
about life, have been replaced by we know it ended. As the vaccination things that we have learned during the
curbside drop offs or socially distanced brings both healing and hope, we global pandemic? While this question
drive-bys, and zoom talks with virtual also begin to return to a normal way will be common among people in
high fives with other monikers of of life. The question we have to ask general, it will be even more crucial for
affection. Playdates for our children ourselves is what is normal? Is it educators.
have been replaced with Minecraft, possible to ever go back to the “old”
way of doing things and if so, should

Educational Viewpoints -76- Spring 2021