Dear Education Professionals

Obviously, this is a turbulent time across the world and it’s not always clear how to respond.

That’s true for me as a father and as Director at TeachThought. As the Coronavirus has, biologically, socially, and economically so greatly impacted on our planet in just a few short months, keeping up with the timeline of it all has been dizzying.

Before The Coronavirus Impact

Before the flood of Coronavirus cases started (officially) erupting all over the United States (where TeachThought is based), we provided two CDC-sourced pieces to support schools for what was coming:

A Basic Framework To Support Schools In Preparing For Coronavirus

Specific Recommendations On How Schools Can Prepare For Coronavirus

We also shared another practical article on handwashing (which feels more than a little impotent in the face of what’s going on):

How To Wash Your Hands Properly

During The Coronavirus Outbreak: Development of TeachThought University

We also have more content coming this week on responding to the effects of the Coronavirus for families and school but in general, the biggest way we’re responding to it all is to focus more on TeachThought University development so that while you’re off, you’ll be able to access courses, research, courses, and workshops all from your home.

You can expect to hear more about this in the coming weeks. How timely that ends up being will obviously depending on the ‘curve’ experienced in the US and elsewhere. For countries minimally impacted or already on the road to recovery, the need is less urgent in the short-term but will hopefully support your growth as a teacher for years to come.

Moving Forward

I feel like it’s necessary to repeat how insufficient the above ‘responses’ are. My inbox is flooded with emails from companies all over the world who are more or less using the outbreak as an opportunity to market themselves (which is one reason I’m not linking to TeachThought University content already ready to go above). That said, what are you supposed to say? That you’re encouraging employees to wash their hands and stay home if they’re sick? This is all obviously a major problem with countless moving parts.

The main reason I am writing, I suppose, is to let you know that I am constantly thinking of new ways to use TeachThought to support this global effort and when I have answers that I feel like honor the complexity and need and scale of it all, we will explore them.

In the meantime, we will continue to provide content that grows teachers–content that emphasizes the teaching of critical thinking and rational thought. Hopefully, in the long run, that makes a bigger difference than anything else we might do as an organization in the meantime.

For now, stay safe, follow the science, and continue to protect, nurture, and serve the people and places that matter to you.

Humbly yours,

Terry Heick

Director, TeachThought