features Text by OLIVIA MILNE and AANYA KUMAR
v
Photo by AANYA KUMAR
TEACHER TURMOIL
PALY STAFF REACT TO THE RETURN TO CAMPUS
S
TUDENTS SHUFFLE around divided desks surrounded by plastic and open up their laptops to log onto yet another Zoom call. Sitting secluded in a corner of the room, Palo Alto High School teacher Kurt Evert, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, begins teaching while his voice echoes through students’ earbuds six feet away. Instead of feeling the joy of returning to his life’s passion of teaching, Evert feels unsafe. “Personally, I do not think it is safe to go back right now,” Evert said March 23, two weeks into the hybrid plan. “The dis- ZOOM IN A ROOM — Paly history teacher DJ Shelton sits in his classroom teaching his students over Zoom. Shelton has been teaching in-person ever since Paly reopened. trict’s sudden announcement of a return was extremely emotional for many teach- district when it comes to receiving a vac- board meeting in February, teachers voiced feelings of unsafety and asked the district to cine. ers.” “Teachers were scrambling to find wait to return, yet they felt their sentiments While Paly implemented a hybrid plan to return to campus in March, many teach- options,” Evert said. “We were trading ru- were not heard. “I think the decision was pressured by ers voiced concerns for their safety regard- mors, calling pharmacies, spending hours searching websites parents and politics as well,” Smith said. “I ing COVID-19. and hitting refresh. think the district office wanted to be the The school had I feel like the district Some went to vac- first to reopen whether it was the right time set safety guidelines, cination sites at or not.” including using plas- robbed our school the end of the day, tic shields on desks, community of a joyful hoping to get on a In-person benefits and enforcing social Despite safety concerns, Paly histowaiting list for extra distancing and mask- reopening.” ry teacher DJ Shelton is happy to be back doses.” ing. However, accord— JORDAN JOHNSON, teaching in person and enjoys seeing his Evert received ing to the Center for anonymous teacher his second dose of students face-to-face again. Shelton was Disease Control and the vaccine and was fully vaccinated on March 19, days after Prevention on March 19, resuming in-person learning poses a fully vaccinated on March 27, three weeks the start of in person school. “Being able to say ‘good morning’ after the reopening. risk to all individuals in schools. Morgan Smith, a Paly teacher whose to someone and have a conversation with name has been changed, also has reserva- them after class without unmuting a butStaff safety Paly teacher Jordan Johnson, whose tions with the reopening. Smith chose to ton is really nice,” Shelton said. “I’ve missed name has been changed to protect her pri- continue teaching virtually to protect a fam- getting to know my students individually vacy, recently returned to campus but be- ily member who is at risk for COVID-19. without the awkwardness that comes with lieves that the district opened too soon and Smith is planning on returning to school Zoom.” Shelton also believes that in-person should have waited for teachers to get vac- after spring break when she is fully vaccischool is beneficial to students’ learning cinated. Johnson is planning on being fully nated. After reviewing Smith’s circumstances, processes. vaccinated by April 3. “As teachers, we try to come up with as “I feel like the district robbed our the district had total say over whether she many examples and ways of explaining maschool community of a joyful reopening,” could stay at home, according to Smith. “When it comes to the decision to go terial but we can’t cover every base online,” Johnson said. “They traded 16 instructional days for the safety and morale of their em- back in person or stay teaching at home, Shelton said. “So being in person and havployees. This makes for an uncomfortable there is really little choice in the matter for ing the students be in groups to hear each other process and talk together is a huge teachers,” Smith said. and demoralizing reopening.” Smith recalls that during a PAUSD benefit.” v Evert says he feels abandoned by the
“
VERDEMAGAZINE.COM 19
