Page 25 - COVID Consortium Journal - An Edited Collection of Student Art and Writing

Dear teacher,

Virtual/Remote learning is not the best form of learning for me.
I hate the idea of typing in a computer and hitting backspace instead of
using the chewed off piece of eraser at the top of my pencil. Of course,
understanding the current situation, I know schools can’t do much about
the way that the learning is brought to me, but it’ll be nice to see some
familiar faces, not that I’m tired of looking at my parents all day.. I am.. But
DON’T tell them that.

I miss the weird smells I would find randomly around the hallways
knowing exactly what it is. The smell I can’t seem to get from my
computer. Instead just the noises of the clickity clack on my keyboard as
I write away all of my assignments hoping to eliminate all of the work I
need to complete during the day. I hope teachers know school is teaching
the class and I’m not seeing a lot of teaching, more like me looking at
an assignment, struggling on how to start for a good 30 minutes, snack
break, mental breakdown, and back to staring at my computer screen like
a hopeless idiot.

I try though! I swear I do. I care about my grades, but this learning is
taking away all of the motivation I had. I feel emotionally drained. At the
same time it’s so refreshing to sit down and think about just NOTHING.
No work that is due, no assessment you need to complete. That feeling is
legendary. Still, I don’t know how I can adapt to this sort of learning any
longer.

Sometimes expressing whatever the problem may be to my teacher
over email or phone is not the same. I miss waving my hand in the air
waiting for my teacher to come over and help me out. I know I could figure
it out but a little support would be nice. But I know this is probably just
me complaining about how I miss school. A phrase I never thought I’d be
saying out loud but yes, I miss classes. All because of Covid. I hope things
get back to normal, I’m missing out on my freshman experience!!

Sincerely,
Ashley Cruz,
The Facing History School

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