Labelling 2020 as an unusual year would be an understatement. On a large scale, our global community was put to the test, as were our local governments, health care systems, economies, and education systems. These challenges create a situation in which it is easy to say “Good riddance” to a year filled with struggle and loss. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t take an opportunity to reflect on some of the lessons that I gained. This post is different than other posts; first, it is much longer, but also it includes no advice and no resources, only reflections on the year that has been.
Loss & Gratitude: As I reflect on the year, I remind myself that everyone has dealt with some form of loss, whether it be that of a loved one, of employment or opportunity, or of social connection, preferred activities, and routines. Dealing with loss is not easy, but I learned that the more that we focus on what was, the more we reinforce our own thinking to look at the negative instead of what we have. This year, gratitude played a huge role in my life as a protective factor for my mental health. I began to practice how to really stop and think about what I have. I have tried not to rely on type of thinking that says “at least…” or downward comparisons to others, but simply, being grateful for family, friends, resources, and experiences. I was reminded that this hard to do at times, but the effects are positive. For example, reflecting on the connections that I have been able to maintain with people, even if virtually, and the connections that I have been able to create or renew, makes me feel grateful to those who think of me, want to share ideas with me, and care about how I am doing. As we move into 2021, I plan to take a moment each day to reflect on what I am grateful for and I invite you to do the same.
Technology & Opportunity: By this point in the year, you are likely tired of hearing about technology. People have experienced Zoom fatigue or are making efforts to reduce screen time. We are often reminded that connecting virtually will never be the same as connecting in-person. However, I have learned that technology can be an equalizer for some and that the current context forced me to reflect on my professional practices several times throughout the year. Earlier this year, I taught a university course about social responsibilities and relationships in the digital age. The course moved to remote instruction in late March and I had to quickly rethink the discussion and presentation format that I had relied on. I learned about some of the technical aspects of offering courses remotely, but also about additional considerations, such as student access to technology, high quality internet, and synchronous versus asynchronous methods of instruction. Although I would have handled the course differently had I more time to reflect and prepare, I was encouraged by the student response. Some of the changes allowed for students to contribute in different ways. This was especially true of my ESL students who communicated much more eloquently and deliberately via written communication than oral communication. I believe that the strength of the classroom culture, largely formed by the students, was responsible for helping the group shift to new formats, including discussion boards, videos, link sharing, etc. In fact, I think some students had an opportunity to thrive in the new format versus the previous discussion-heavy format. Overall, the shift to online provided an opportunity for me to get to better connect with my students.
Technology has provided opportunity for many. The example that sticks out for me is that of my 76-year-old grandmother who learned how to use her tablet for the first time to access social media, video chats, and online community yoga sessions. Had the pandemic never occurred, she would not have taken the opportunity to learn how to connect online, which has allowed her to stay in touch with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as relatives in Italy. Others may have witnessed similar stories, which I believe provides us with a great reminder to always keep learning as it will help us to better overcome our challenges.
Change & Adaptability: Perhaps the most important lesson that I learned from 2020 is that humans are highly adaptable. I had the privilege of working in a hospital setting, as well as schools this year. In both settings the teams managed to adapt services and practices to provide a secure environment for youth. When I take a step back and reflect, I can see that it was rather impressive how professionals were able to redefine their services to account for PPE, distancing, or telecommunication options, and I consider myself privileged to be part of that experience. The process of shifting prompted me to look at what was the core of the service, whether it be instruction or tele-health, and how parents and children receive the support they need. I often reminded myself of an important lesson that my professor shared with me. He explained that when you know the theory and you know the rules, you will know how to bend them when you need to. The lesson stayed with me, but it was definitely put to the test as we all adapted to new daily challenges.
Hope: Tonight, the calendar will change, and 2020 will be behind us. Problems from Dec. 31st will not disappear on January 1st, but the promise of a new year brings hope. Take a moment to reflect on your experience, your habits, and what you have learned. I know that the process has helped me to develop clarity regarding my goals and aspirations for the year ahead and I hope the same for you.
Wishing you all the best for 2021!
Joseph
Healthy Learning MTL 