Negativity Can Impact Your Distance Learning

Welcome all-star teachers! As we jump into today’s topic, I would like you to reflect on your wins for the week. I also want to encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your thoughts and actions for the week.

It’s so easy to go down a rabbit hole of everything that is going wrong right now. Students not having access to technology, being stuck at home, and the feeling like we are living in the twilight zone. With this a negative mindset can slowly start to creep in your daily actions. 

I understand a lot of us are frustrated, overwhelmed, and overworked due to the sudden switch to remote learning. I know this because I am frustrated and overwhelmed. These feelings can leave the door open to negativity.

The switch to remote learning has completely taken me by surprise and thrown me off my routine. It has also broken my spirit in the sense that a lot of my students who do not have access to technology are not being educated.

I found myself getting discouraged and my mindset started to be affected. I also started noticing a mindset shift in the students that I was connecting with virtually. They were making comments such as “Why are we doing this assignment?” or “Do I have to do this?”

These comments were starting to discourage me even more. One of the biggest reasons why is because I was very intentional about having a positive classroom when we were going to school. I knew immediately that this had to be addressed and addressed quickly.

I first took a moment to reflect on my own behaviors and what type of energy I was bringing into the virtual spaces. 

One thing I noticed was that when I found myself thinking a negative thought to immediately check myself. 

I did this by rephrasing my words, reflecting aloud, and saying a positive statement.

Also if the students were saying negative comments I would immediately correct it. I would encourage them to rephrase their statements with a positive statement.

Once this happened I saw a transformation within myself and the students. There are sometimes before a virtual class where I pray and have some quiet time with myself. This personally helps me get in the right space before I enter the classroom.

I want to encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your mindset. If you need a break, take a break. Also, reflect on the actions and words of your ELLs. Ask yourself have they mainly been positive. If not, I want to encourage you to immediately correct their words and actions in a gentle way. 

You can do this by simply asking, “How can I phrase what you said in a positive light.”

This may take some modeling from you to demonstrate to the students how to do this in an effective way. Before you start your live lesson take 2 – 3 moments to pray or meditate or sit with your positive thoughts. You might want to say some positive affirmations aloud.

Educators here are your next steps:

1. Reflect on your actions and words and the actions and words of your students.
2. When you see and hear negative thoughts and actions creep in to take immediate action.
3. Plan for a few moments to yourself and your positive thoughts before your virtual classes

Also check to see if your school district has FREE Employee Assistance Program where you can talk to a counselor about any ongoing stress.

I also want to share with everyone a new product line I am working on. After reflecting, I want my students to become stronger writers. I started looking for a great weekly paragraph tool and unfortunately could not find one. That is why I created a weekly paragraph unit. Each day the students will take steps to an ideal paragraph. Click the photo below to grab your free copy!