A Journey of Faith: Currahee!

This is the third in a series of blogs where I have asked St. Ann educators if they would be willing to write a blog on what it has been like teaching during this pandemic. Several of our educators took time to write down their thoughts. So, the next several blogs will feature St. Ann educators reflecting on teaching during the pandemic. Next up is our fourth grade educator, Kristina Miller.

Currahee Mountain

Currahee!

How I handled remote learning was like that of a soldier. I was raised in a military family and I am a big WWII buff. I am especially fond of the story of the Band of Bothers which was made into an HBO series. In the series it shows how a group of paratroopers bonded in basic training by having to run up and down the Currahee Mountain in Georgia before heading to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

Though I was not facing a war, I was facing a battle with Covid. A battle with isolation, a battle with a toilet paper shortage, and a battle in un-charted territory. First and for most, I was in a battle to protect my students and their families from undo stress, while still doing my utmost to provide them with a meaningful education. I also wanted to tend to their emotional needs as well.

Mrs. Miller & WW2 veteran on
the 75th anniversary on D-Day
in Normandy, France

Every day, I planned with my students’ families in mind. Can this work be done while mom is at work? Can this work be done with several kids at home? Is dad needing to use the computer as he works from home? Will the kids enjoy the day’s lesson? Am I too hard, too easy?

Finding balance during an unbalanced time was my greatest challenge. My nose to the grindstone, I didn’t look up until the mission was accomplished. And before you knew it, it was the last day of school and my class met on hangouts for a tear-filled farewell. After that, I gave in and cried the built-up tears of frustration, relief, and sadness. The sadness was that I couldn’t properly say goodbye to the children that I have had the honor of teaching for the past two years. I prayed that I have served them and their families well.

On Hangouts
with Students

I want to thank my parents for their support, for being great co-teachers, and cheerleaders! I couldn’t have done it without them- the foundation of successful remote learning relies heavily on the partnership of parents and the teacher.

It is through strong leadership, hard work, great support and a great love for each other that makes St. Ann a great school. While other schools gave up and shut down, we like the Band of Brothers, circled our troops and stormed the beaches of Covid, and we conquered remote learning with God’s help.

With deepest appreciation and love to all at St. Ann,

Kristina Miller