Today, I had my first virtual meeting with my class. I love that this is the last post for the March Slice of Life Challenge because it was so special for me. I experienced so many emotions throughout the meeting.
Before the meeting, I was actually nervous and full of anticipation. I was anxious as to who would show up. I wasn’t sure what questions to expect and how the students would react to seeing me and all their classmates. Honestly, I was nervous for how I would react to seeing them.
When students started joining the meeting, I had the initial reaction of excitement. It was so wonderful to see them after so long. Their sweet faces. Their bright smiles. My eyes started to fill with tears at the recollection that I was finally seeing them and that this would be the only way I would see them moving forward.
We had our meeting. There was sharing, some laughter, connections with each other, and lots and lots of questions. I also enjoyed seeing the smiles and reactions of the parents that were in the corner or the backdrop. Seeing the kids actually manage a virtual meeting pretty well, was so delightful. Preparing them for their future business lives I assume.
We all said goodbye to each other. They wanted to know when the next meeting like that would be. I couldn’t give them that answer, and it made me sad. We are waiting from additional guidance from the district in what we can and cannot do. I told them that I hoped it would be soon. They shared how much they missed me and each other and started leaving the meeting. I stayed on until the last student left.
When the meeting was over, I put my head down and let the tears come. I cried for so many reasons. Seeing them for the first time in almost three weeks. The fact that I might not see them in person again. Hoping I would be allowed to do more virtual meetings in the future. And the lack of human connection in person. I know we are doing our best to keep our community connected virtually. And thank god for the technology we have access to. But we all know, it’s not enough. I’m looking forward to the day that we can get these kids back together even if it’s in September.
At least my heart is just a tad happier on this Tuesday.