By Amanda Meloy, teacher/librarian
Lindbergh Elementary School

I am a Library Media Technology Specialist (librarian) and teacher at Lindbergh Elementary School. I am also a wife and mom with two children, a sixth grader and a fourth grader, in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Although I am grateful that we are virtual and trying hard to keep ourselves, our families, and our students and families safe, we all have challenges in this world of virtual learning. I am coping due to the wonderful support of my colleagues, students and their families, and my own family and friends. 

As a librarian, my job has shifted. My main focus is now on technology — how to get families access, how to troubleshoot, and how to use new learning platforms such as Seesaw and Classlink to help both staff and students. Getting students access to technology is my top priority and my biggest challenge. 

Although MMSD offers Chromebooks and hotspots/kajeets to help students connect online, we find that some locations — in particular, large apartment complexes — have difficulty getting and holding a connection due to access problems such as everyone being online at the same time. There are not enough broadband width or hubs for internet connection. Limited access to the internet is a big problem in regards to building equity and having access to a free public education. We need to partner with our school, city, county and state leaders and with internet companies to change the internet to a public utility service and build a more sustainable infrastructure. 

Another challenge is technology not working — the device itself, a username and password, a website or platform malfunction, or staff not being able to see what the student sees simply because we have a different device or different settings. I see students struggle with sound, online connection and background noise. 

I want to be able to sit beside them and see how they learn and see if they understand. I want to get books to students so they can experience the joy of reading and take a break from technology. 

To be honest, at the end of the day online learning is just hard. Personally, I struggle with being on Zoom. I am used to moving around while I teach. Now, I sit and stare at a screen much of the day. My body hurts. I have never taught online and don’t know the best practices. I also struggle as an online learner. Our teachers have more to do than ever before as they connect with families, figure out new technology and new assessments, plan and provide meaningful lessons. 

Yet, I see bright sides. I see students dancing and shining their own personality, using technology in a way that none of us could last year, or introducing us to their family members and pets. By spending less of our time on classroom management, students can get more authentic learning experiences. I also see creative partnerships develop; for example, district Library Media Technology Specialists are partnering with Madison Public Library and others to hold an all-city read for fifth graders. 

I multitask more than ever. My husband and I are learning how to run a household with four different schedules. I question are my children online too much of the day, are they getting enough exercise, eating healthy, is their mental health OK? How do I support my own children’s online learning when they have questions? Thank goodness for the teachers and adults in their lives. I appreciate those in food services more than ever. We have started to use the MMSD free lunch pick up so I don’t have to prepare lunch at three different times.

I worry about the increasing COVID-19 numbers. I worry about our students and their families and my own family and friends. Are we getting what we need to survive, get by, succeed or thrive? 

With these challenges, I also see hope. My children know they are loved and have support from multiple people in their lives. We get to spend time hiking, biking, being outside and being together as a family more than ever before. We find meaningful connections whether playing outside with masks or connecting online. To be my best self and to cope, I exercise, read, try to eat healthy (a struggle) and take a bit of time for myself each day.

Families and students, thank you for being present and showing up. Thank you for allowing us as educators into your lives. I know this is hard. It is hard for me, too. We appreciate you.