Despite the fact that I was home, I was still nervous for last night’s BTSN. It was going to be a weird one.
Two weeks ago, we had to make a video to send to our Admins – a virtual version of our in-class presentation. This was the week that Lucy was failing and then passed and I was in no frame of mind to make a video. I put it off til the last minute and did a couple of run throughs before changing my shirt and recording the final cut. I sent it in without previewing it. The kids get me unedited, the parents should see the real me, I thought.
We were scheduled to meet with parents last night, from 7:25-7:55. We’d set up the Zoom meeting, but my teammates and I, worried we’d be inundated with questions from the parents of the gifted students we teach, sent out a question form last week along with links to our videos and the Zoom link. We figured we could sort through the questions and address the top ones first. By 7 p.m. we had only one question. It presaged the evening.
Like students in a Zoom meeting, the 60+ parents were remarkably quiet. The flood of questions never arrived. It was, in fact, more like a trickle. And there were more than a few awkward silences. We let some stretch. We filled a few.
As we ended the meeting, we reminded parents that, if they had any other questions, to send us an email. So far, I don’t have any. I wonder if the Math teacher can say the same.
booksandbassets 
Having parents submit questions before the meeting was a good way to address concerns if parents were unwilling to speak up at the zoom meeting. Maybe parents were more reluctant to speak up at a zoom conference than students are.
Oh my gosh, the full-time teachers where I teach had to do what you did. I, on the other hand, spoke extempore, and I have no idea what they took away. No one asked anything, and I have yet to hear from anyone. Maybe they’re in shock?! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and smooth sailing. Maybe everyone is just too stymied by circumstance?
I found that my great dread of this virtual stuff has not turned out to be as rough as I imagined (although it’s rough enough). I had to smile at how you said “seeing the real me” in the video but most of all – my heart goes out to you on your loss of Lucy. An arrow of pain, straight through it. I read your other post as well – the memorial boxes are lovely. I say let that scent linger awhile – for offering comfort is what these most loving creatures do best. Strength to you each new day. ❤
Very interesting! I wonder if they are so used to watching you or hearing you in the background of the house that they already feel they know what is going on. My school is not doing anything for BTSN and I want to suggest it, but I’m afraid everyone will hate me. LOL