Making It Happen – Schooling and Working from Home During the Pandemic

By Bette Erickson

Did you know that if you whisper to Alexa, she whispers back? … Well, yes, while working from home many of us have gleaned new and useful (and not so useful) information.

A Broomfield friend, Rene Sanchez, said that one strategy she uses to aid her in keeping sane and productive while working 10- and sometimes 12-hour days at home, is to breathe deeply while reading trivia online. Such are the modernday challenges during this lengthy, ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 has resulted in millions of employees working from home full time,” said Sanchez. “Yet, while many may view this as a short-term response to a crisis, many employees and supervisors, including me, may want to continue working from home, at least part-time.”

Maddy Quinn, a sophomore at Broomfield High School, says she has enjoyed both learning at home and being at school during the COVID-19 crisis. Boulder Valley School District offers hybrid learning opportunities for various grade levels.

Photo by Carleen Quinn/for Our Broomfield

That sentiment is shared by many, including students having to learn remotely at home. For 15-year-old Maddy Quinn it seems to be an appealing option, perhaps even when this pandemic is over.

“Well, I like to both learn remotely and be at school,” the Broomfield High School sophomore explained. “Because I can be comfortable and be in my pajamas,” while learning and studying from home she said.

So, what’s the secret to staying focused while both working from home and supervising your younger children who are learning remotely at home? Sanchez advised taking regular breaks from your own work to check on your child and assess how things are going. She explained, “Expect interruptions and unanticipated changes in your schedule. The shower will leak and the cat will get out and you’ll realize you’re out of quick and convenient lunch options — all in the same morning.”

“A big deadline was suddenly moved up and our Wi-Fi mysteriously stopped working. What could I do?” She said she did some much-needed stretching, breathed deeply, and re-prioritized.

“Hug your child and do the best you can.” Sanchez said, “Some days will be super challenging, but some days will be easier, too.”

Bob Lavigna, a director with CPS HR Consulting, explained that moving to a remote work place and learning environment is not like flipping a binary switch. “It’s a difficult process, especially if there are kids at home making demands of parents,” he said. “It can be remarkably stressful for employees.”

And COVID-19 has created a radically different work environment for thousands of employees, he added.

Quinn noted, “I do have a choice to be at home or at school. Right now, I am doing half and half - two days at home and the other two days in school.” And because she’s in high school, it’s not necessary for her parents to supervise or get overly-involved in her studies, she said.

Equally, parents have numerous opportunities to support their students. Communication is paramount, Sanchez said. Not only with parental expectations, but with team members. “Discuss which tasks are expected, what the deadlines are, and which may need a collaborative effort. Be clear about your expectations and encourage suggestions from all stakeholders about how to make things go even more smoothly in the future.

Learning or working from home or being on site, perhaps what we should all remember during this unprecedented time is to call on our inner, chill teenager. Like Quinn said, “I really don’t have a preference. I really like to do both.”

While working and learning from home creates a high degree of stress and anxiety, employers have numerous opportunities to support their employees, explained Lavigna. He shared the following tips.

Keys to Maintaining Engagement During the Pandemic:

1. Provide strong and visible leadership

2. Communicate, communicate, communicate

3. Don’t neglect training and development

4. Focus on the mission and the work

5. Appreciate and recognize

6. Set expectations and provide tools

7. Ask for feedback

Bette Erickson writes about people, places, and events. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com with your story ideas.