President’s Perspective - Scott Spainhour

PRESIDENT’S

Perspective PRESIDENT’S

COVID-19:

Where the Rubber Meets the Road With Maslow and AMI

Scott Spainhour AAEA Board President Superintendent Greenbrier School District

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 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?

I also have to wonder how this will impact education in the future. We are being forced to learn and become proficient in a new instructional delivery system. Surely things will forever be different in how we meet the needs of kids.

These pictures are just a small glimpse into the efforts educators are making across our state to focus on the bottom of Maslow’s pyramid, to make sure the physical, mental, and emotional health of our school families are priority, to make sure our school communities stay focused on loving and caring for each other, even through social distancing and virtual worlds.

Perhaps we as educators were born for such a time as this, a time to practice what’s been preached to and by us. Stay safe, and stay focused on what matters most during this never-before experienced endeavor in education.