blogging · COVID-19 · Slice of Life Story Challenge · teacher of writing

Reaching Out to Our Readers, Writing Community, and Friends

twtcoauthors

The Two Writing Teachers Team believes in the power of sharing our stories. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed daily life around the globe. Since the beginning of the 13th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge, we’ve gone from one international participant’s school being closed to districts around the United States closing by the hour. Nearly every person who reads this post lives in a community that is being impacted by the novel coronavirus.

With social distancing and many in quarantine, sharing our stories here is more important than ever for connection. Whether you are taking part in the Slice of Life Story Challenge or you’re a regular reader of the topical posts on our blog, please know we as a community are here to support each other during this unprecedented time.

Educators provide stability to children daily. With many schools turning to remote instruction in the face of school closures, we thank you for the important work you will do to support your students from a distance. Some of us have taught online courses and understand it’s a medium one cannot master with a marathon day of professional development. Therefore, we hope you will extend kindness to yourself as you navigate this new way of teaching. We hope you will engage in at least one act of self-care daily. The asynchronous nature of online learning lends itself to feeling as though you’re always on-call. Set boundaries and stick to them so you can take care of yourself and your loved ones. 

We know the novel coronavirus doesn’t care where one lives, what country they’re from, what religion one practices, or what the color of their skin is. If you or your loved ones have experienced bias or stigma related to the pandemic we stand with you. Unfortunately, misinformation about COVID-19 creates fear that hurts people and makes it that much harder to keep everyone healthy. We’re stronger as a community when we share our stories and stand together against misinformation and fear-mongering. 

We are a global community of writers. As a co-author team, we look forward to reading your stories — and sharing ours — as a way of navigating this difficult time.

Yours in story,

Stacey, Beth, Betsy, Kathleen, Melanie, Lanny, Kelsey, Marina, Amy, and Therapi

Published by twtcoauthors

24 thoughts on “Reaching Out to Our Readers, Writing Community, and Friends”

  1. Thank you for making a clear, supportive statement to the whole community. I think a lot about what leadership is and does particularly in moments of crisis. With this post and your platform you are deliberately creating and sustaining a space for all of us to gather, commiserate, support and exhale. You demonstrate for all of us what thoughtful and responsive leadership looks like. Your example buoys me in these unfamiliar and rough waters.

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  2. Thanks for the post. It is nice to feel this community of writers each morning as I sit down to my computer. It helps to hear other voices, to find other positive messages. We all walk together toward health and better times. I am watching the trees these days – as the pull themselves from the deep winters sleep to green new life. We will do the same in a few weeks. Blessing all!

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  3. Thank you for this post, for these uplifting words. I am particularly moved by these lines, which bear repeating: “we hope you will extend kindness to yourself as you navigate this new way of teaching. We hope you will engage in at least one act of self-care daily. The asynchronous nature of online learning lends itself to feeling as though you’re always on-call. Set boundaries and stick to them so you can take care of yourself and your loved ones.” Thank you, thank you, thank you! Be well, one and all!

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  4. “We hope you will engage in at least one act of self-care daily.” Thank you for providing this platform for all. I believe it creates the space in which we can do as suggested. Writing in a safe, supportive haven can be that one act of self-care each day.

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      1. I sat down earlier this morning attempting to write, but again, after reading all the posts set the worry wheels were set in motion and creativity was lost. So, I took your words to heart and opened my yoga mat. I searched for a Yoga for Creativity practice and found one. I’m back and ready to write.

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  5. Thank you for taking time to write to us, your community of virtual writers.
    I especially your advise to set boundaries as the next 31 days, I become a distance teacher
    for the first time. Knowing I am not alone and have this community of experts gives me comfort!

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  7. This is such a beautiful post of solidarity, compassion for others, and respect for all. Thank you to TWT and the SOL community for being so loving, supportive, and helpful during this uncertain and trying time. ❤

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    1. We are learning from you, Jennifer, since you were the first one of us to have a school closure. Thanks for sharing your experiences — including the struggles — with such honesty. We are with you & hope life in Jakarta returns to normal soon.

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  9. Excellent! Well said! We are all in this together. We will get through this together! TWT community is the place to share our fears, anticipations, as well as the silver linings that will appear daily. So thankful for this place and everyone in it!

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  10. As I’ve read posts this month I’ve often thought about how this community offers companionship and empathy to those whose schools and personal lives have been upended by COVID-19. I wrote something similar to “ We know the novel coronavirus doesn’t care where one lives, what country they’re from, what religion one practices, or what the color of their skin is.” in my post today. It’s humbling to realize both our common humanity as well as our common vulnerability. Take care of yourselves.

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  11. Thanks for your support. I did not sign up for the SOLC because of the time commitment, but it looks like I will have time. I hope it’s OK to jump on in. Our state closed schools until April 14th. Today in preparation, my students picked out books to take home. We will stay connected through our blog on Kidblog. I plan to put up a writing prompt each day. There are so many uncertainties and that is difficult to manage. I hope we all stay calm and safe and find a way to turn this time into something good and creative.

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