PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S
Perspective
COVID-19: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
With Maslow and AMI
Need we even say we’re in unprecedented times? As educators, it has never been more important for us to take care of the needs of our students. We’ve been preached at for years, and have done our own share of preaching to others, about satisfying the needs lower down in Maslow’s hierarchy, those circling around physiological, safety, love, and belonging, before ever moving to the “work” side of education, the teaching, learning, and all related logistics. A simple glance at social media and other online educator networks the last
Scott Spainhour
AAEA Board President
Superintendent
Greenbrier School District
two weeks reveals the hearts of our educators. School staff parades through neighborhoods, meal preps, food deliveries, hotlines for parents and students for technology assistance, and every type of virtual connection educators can use, are just a few examples. It reveals things we’ve always known, but now our communities can feel and witness for themselves the commitment and compassion that comes with our “jobs.” It reveals that this business of education we are in is about people, relationships, and loving kids. I wonder what our students will remember about this very transforming time in their lives. Will it be the AMI packets, which are very important for continuing student learning,...or will it be the educators in their lives and how they made them feel during this time in history?
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Administrator April 2020
