WEEK IN MY [teacher] LIFE | ep. 15 Last Week of School?! 

Words cannot express how much I would rather be in my classroom on this Monday. It felt wrong not being there today and I pray that this blows over and on April 6th I can rejoin all my students smiling faces on the carpet again!

I love your teacher heart! My 1st grade teacher changed my life and made me want to become an elementary teacher. ❤ She put her whole heart into the classroom and invested so much into her students. I love her and 28 years later she is still an example before me ❤

I am not a teacher but I randomly came across your channel and fell in love with your personality. I just want to take a moment and tell you how great of a teacher you are! You take so much of your personal time and money to give your students the absolute best. I could only hope my future kids have a teacher as great as you!

On March 12th, with little to no warning whatsoever, after saying bye to my students, we found out that our district would be out for four weeks. My first thought, as well, as a Title 1 teacher was "My kids need to eat! They need emotional support!" (They did set up several meal centers, but the emotional support part was harder to find.) I was in a panic of sorts. I'm a specialist so I have hundreds of students but I did reach out to the ones I could. I felt helpless, so trust me, you are not alone. March 24th our governor announced that we were going to be out the rest of the year and I cried basically the whole day. I haven't seen any of my students since then. I still worry about them.

You are the sweetest. You care so much about your students, and it pains me to hear you so emotional. Teachers like you are why I want to be a teacher myself. You are there for your students, and to care so much for their current situations is just the best. I know that I am a week late (I have been catching up on your videos while I have this break) but I hope you get everything sorted out and I hope you find something that works for your kids. God bless you ❤️

I completely feel you. Yesterday was my last day in the school, I got materials ready to send home for my 3rd graders. Yesterday afternoon parents and students dropped by to pick their learning materials... the looks in my students' eyes broke my heart. They were all so scared. I couldn't hug them because that wouldn't have been responsible of me during this strange time... and it hurt so much to know that I am unsure when I'll see them again. It truly does make you realize how much you love and care for your students and how much you love your job. I knew it already... but having this time lost is hurting me worse than I imagined.

Watching this weeks later after everything has taken place. I'm glad you caught your real and raw emotions in the moment. I had 150% all of the same exact thoughts. Those first few weeks were HARD. Now its weird because it is starting to feel normal, and I hate that. I'm looking forward to catching up on your next few vlogs to see how you're holding up. You're amazing Lauren!!

I’m crying with you as I watch this. I was so emotional too when this started and still kind of am. You are an amazing teacher! Your littles are so incredibly lucky to have you as their teacher! ❤️

Your tears sparked my tears. This has been AWFUL. We are closed at least through June. Hope you’ve been able to virtually/phone connect with some of your kiddos. It’s been the only thing getting me through! ❤️

I feel this pain. We were told Friday at 2 that we would be closing our doors for a month without any forewarning. We all reported to school today to make packets for parents to pick up. Keep strong girl

First time viewer. I am a substitute teacher in Albuquerque, NM where schools have been shut down for the next 3 weeks and already in Texas, where I grew up there is talk of just cancelling the rest of the school year entirely after Kansas took that very measure. Girl, you had me tearing up at the end there! I truly hope we all get to get back into the classroom sooner rather than later. My birthday is actually April 6 - a predicted return day for many and wow, though I didn't think I'd think this -- going back on my birthday would be the greatest gift. Stay strong for yourself and for you students and families and please stay safe and healthy!

Oh Lauren, I just want to offer a virtual hug. I kept my 3rd grader and Kindergartener home Friday, and then on Sunday we received word that school is closed until 4/3 at minimum. We are doing a combo of digital learning and packets/textbooks from school. To be honest, my first thought wasn’t about my kids. We “homeschool” by doing unit studies throughout the summers ( their request) so I know they’ll make the transition with minimal worry. I feel for the teachers like yourself who have to find and pull the rip cord on a parachute only after getting pushed out of a plane. I will keep you and your students in my prayers, especially the little friend with big issues going on. I hope home brings you some comfort and you stay well! I look forward to seeing your beautiful classroom again in a few weeks! 🥰

Praying for yall and the whole situation. Sending love and prayers your way

Sending hugs and love from Pensacola FL. I’m a K5 teacher at a private school. We were first shut down for two weeks (including Spring break), and now til Apr 15. I have three little ones of my own and their schools have also been closed til Apr 15. I am going to go to meetings next week for training on distance learning. Not only will I navigate learning HOW to teach via distance learning, I will be guiding my two oldest kiddos through their distant learning. Meanwhile my husband has been to the ER twice and is missing work. So yes....such crazy times right now. I think the uncertainty of it all is the worst part about it. I have enjoyed watching your journey through your first year of teaching. You are so inspiring and your passion is such a refreshment to this first year teacher. 💕

I love how compassionate you are about your students and how much you love your job you are the most loving and caring teacher I can tell by your actions it's just amazing! I love your videos

I just love you! Thank you for all that you do and for your vulnerability.

Thank you for sharing your honest, raw experience. My Thursday/Friday sounds like it was very similar to yours. The uncertainty for our kids in trauma and poverty is heartbreaking. I feel you with the need to help all your students. You are not alone.

Your heart for your students is amazing! Your students are lucky to have you. My district just announced closure until April 13th.

When. I saw your post on IG on your packets being in the bags I was like I have to do that.I got the big 2 gallon ziploc bags and that was perfect. Originally I was just going to have folders and I was thinking about the kids that wouldn't show up or come to school without their folders or backpacks and then that happened today and it was so easier to just hand over a bag. So thank you for sharing your ideas. I feel your pain stress and anxiety. Today was our last day before the shutdown and even though I was prepared I woke up and bawled and then cried on my way to work. Our school required us to do paper packets as well as digital learning and that's was stressful getting that together.

Sheesh. My heart hurts for you and your classroom! I know how it feels to wonder if they’re going to be okay, I’ll keep all of these students in my prayers as we all try to navigate during this time. I’m in south Texas and we had off for spring break - which has extended by one week but our end of course exams have been modified and may be removed completely. Meaning we may be out for the remainder of the school year 😢

I spent the last part of your video crying with you. It is so painful to be away from the classroom! I also work at a Title I school and we’re currently doing Digital Learning. I’ve spent the last two days hoping my kiddos are fed and are safe. All I can think about is how much we need to be in the classroom working together on being successful at school. I miss those smiling faces so much already, and I hate that not all of them will be able to participate in Digital Learning because they do not have access. I totally understand what you’re feeling!

I'm going through the same process. I also work in a title I school and am worried about my kids and families having food, losing their jobs (I already know that a few have), and not having access to internet or devices. We are on spring break this week and are told that next week we will be starting "distance learning" but have been given zero idea of what that looks like or how we are expected to do that. We know we are out until at least April 1st but most likely longer. We were told after school on Thursday that there would be no school on Friday and we would be back after spring break so we were not given any time to prepare anything to send home. I keep asking about getting into school to prepare bags to take home or work and things that they might need (dry erase board, markers, etc) and haven't been given a straight answer about getting into the building. I fully feel your pain and am sending all of my positive energy into the universe for you, your students, and your families, along with my students and families. Stay strong through this.

I literally don't know when I am out until. I am stressed with four preps (French 7, 8, Spanish 2, 3). I already miss the kids.

I know I'm watching this late and I've only watched a few minutes-I know what comes next, sadly! :( but PLEASE don't feel selfish for being frustrated with how a day has gone. Releasing emotions and talking things through is healthy and keeping it in or berating any negative emotions associated with teaching only creates burnout. Trust me. That isn't to say that anyone should dwell on the negatives, but being frustrated is ok. It isn't selfish. You can be grateful for being in this position but also struggle with some of the negative sides of it. It's ok and it's normal. Being frustrated does not make you ungrateful.We love you! Continue to cast your cares on Him! :) P.S. I work at a Title 1 school, too, so I identify heavily with some of the stresses of observations as well as the feelings when hearing about our students' home struggles.

Hi Lauren, I am also so anxious about my children and the possibility of closing. I am in London, England. We are still open. However I had 9 children off school today. We are cleaning like mad and reminding children to wash their hands constantly. We are preparing digital online learning for our children incase we have to close. It's such a worrying time and the children are making so much progress it will be such a shame if we do have to close. I am praying for you all across America and the world who are off school for 2 weeks or more. X

words can not express and how I know every teacher feels this way. I'm a teacher plus a parent of two and they keep asking to go to school. My kiddos love coming to music, and i'm not sure when i'll see them again. And it sucked because i couldnt tell any of them it would be awhile until i see them. They knew i was upset but not sure why. But my classroom has a music website for my parents and students so Ive been updating my things for them to work on things at home. Praying your sweetie!!! things will be ok! Yes this feeling is different!!! very sad.

From one teacher to another....I totally understand how this chaos is affecting all of us. Thanks for your vulnerability!

Hi! I am a K teacher in MA- I sm so sad about not having school. You are correct.. most teachers are so so worried about the kids well being, the impact on their academic strides and their emotional balance as we navigate all this craziness. We were closed in the same fashion you were so preparing was a mad dash. On that note- can you share the link to the read and cover you used with your student. I have a few littles that would benefit and probably enjoy it. Thank you. Hers hoping the governor’s attempt to help contain this works and its over on April 7th so we can get back to our kids!!💖

We were told after school on Friday that it would be in our best interest to take whatever we needed for two weeks home with us. We didn't make any packets, didn't get to say goodbye to the kids, didn't even know officially what was going to happen. Two hours later the official word came down. This is so surreal. Hang in there. We'll get through this.

hang in there !!! my district has gone virtual, luckily we were able to provide students without devices some from the school. this is really tough like you said

So I'm still in College (Go Grizz), I'm a Junior and my program is very heavy on Field Experience, as we get it for three semesters before we student teach for the full semester. I'm currently placed in a 3rd grade classroom and sat in on their planning for what to do with Coronavirus. This was on Friday. The admin at the school believed we had at least another week before closures. Our governor waited until about 5pm yesterday (Monday) to shut the schools down so all the teachers I know here in Montana were pretty caught off guard. That being said, our entire college Elementary Education program has been knocked off it's axis as well. We have no idea what we now have to turn in, or if we'll be able to complete our mandatory hours. It's stressing me out. My prior placement was at a Title 1 school, and my work study a couple of years ago I spent a whole year at another Title 1 school. My heart goes out to all the teachers worrying about their students. I had one homeless student last semester and I am so concerned for her and her family. There are no winners when schools are shut down unexpectedly. Am I happy we're doing everything we can to slow the spread of this awful virus? Yes. But there's going to be a lot of kids hurting after this. Montana has closed schools for at least 2 weeks, our local districts' spring break is the week after that - so the kiddos won't be back until April 6th at the earliest. But my college adviser just cancelled an April 24th meeting with me and my six classmates at our local branch college.

I feel your pain. I'm a kindergarten teacher in Toronto, my school officially made the decision to close on Wednesday and is scheduled to re-open on April 6th. I already miss my kids so much and I can't wait to see them when we all return to school on the 6th. Hang in there, girl! ❤️❤️

I felt like going through my iPad and giving you a hug.... Our Preschool thru grade 12 is closed until March 28th after that our principal doesn’t know what he’ll be doing. Our EduCare program (preschool/daycare) is open only for doctors, firefighters, and police.... I have emailed and sent packets through class dojo to my littles..... I like you miss them soooo much!! My prayers are with you, your colleagues, students, and parents...... ❤️🙏

Hi Lauren, I too am a 1st Grade Teacher and I absolutely love my little's! My heart is breaking not being able to see them daily. I watched your video and I was crying along with you. Please know that you are not alone in your sentiments. I will pray for your students, you, teachers and parents across the country. Here in NM we are out for 3 weeks and will find out if it is extended before we are scheduled to return 4/6. We as teachers are not allowed to travel at all, if we do we have to be quarantined for an additional 14 days and will have to use our sick time. So I'm happy you are happy to go be with your loved ones. Hang in there!

We are on spring break this week, but we got the word today that we will be closed through April 3rd. I’m in rural Missouri, and I feel the same about my kiddos. We are also Title I, as are many, many districts around us. The majority of our kids live in poverty, drug use is rampant, and a lot of kids come from bad situations. I cannot stop thinking about my kids and their families.

I’m a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Northern NH and we are closed until April 3rd. I am beyond sad and miss my students already! Thank you for all your content and support on this channel. We’ll all get through this together and will hopefully be with our students again in April!

We are out for four weeks. I teach high school. I worry about my kids and what they will be doing with all of this time. Motivating teenagers on the best days is difficult. We will all see.

My district is in the same boat, but we didn't have a chance to prep any take-home materials. We are currently on Spring Break, but as of yesterday have no determined return date. I worry for my students who rely on school as their safe place or for meals. I'm happy that I encouraged all students to check out extra books so they would have plenty to read over break. Hopefully they took their books home.

Thank you for all your hard work, dedication and not being afraid to show your vulnerable side. I am an instructional coach in a similar school setting as yours in N.C. and this whole thing is breaking my heart for the kiddos/community I serve everyday. I also have family who we are choosing to distance from for their health which is heartbreaking in a different way but what we have to do to keep them safe during this scary time. So now I get to help roll out digital learning 😳 to my teachers who are just as scared and emotional as you and I AND homeschool my own 3rd grader and 4 yr old. So sorry to be taking over this comment, but I get up early to have “me time” and it lead me to your new video so thank you for putting it out there and helping me begin to process. I’ve with on this RU-vid journey with you since classroom set up day 1 and you are the one I bond with through videos the most (that sounds so 🙃 silly)! Hugs xoxo, keep us updated and stay healthy!

We are on spring break for the next 2 weeks, so we didn't have to have anything prepped per se. However, we just found out that we are out an additional week, so we will return 4/6. Our school is digital, so I can add work to Google classroom. But I told parents to keep reading to their child, use the books I send home to help with decoding and writing practice, etc. I am hoping this will be over soon and we can all get back to normal routines.

Nice video! Love the read and cover. Hope you survive the next few weeks.

Thank you for this wonderful video,stay safe❤️

Hey Lauren! I love your channel. I am a preservice teacher and your channel makes me so excited to become a teacher! I have tried a lot of your techniques and your ideas with my students! I cried right there with you at the end, I am so broken hearted about this situation! Everyone keeps asking me how excited I am to have an extended break, but I couldn’t be more upset. Online learning isn’t ideal for me so I could imagine how all these students and families feel. I’m praying for your students, please pray for mine! I can’t stop thinking about them being hungry either. We are also Title 1. I am also forced to complete my courses online and that stresses me out. I am not a fan of busy work🙄😭 this definitely shows me why I shouldn’t ever give my own students busy work. I’m praying for you! I love seeing Jesus in you! Pray for me also ❤️

I'm currently student teaching and my university is in talks of pulling us out even if the kids do go back. I am so sad because most professions can just go back to normal but in education we'll never get this time back. I'll never get my student teaching experience back and our kiddos will never get this learning time back. However it's so important that we do our best and stay flexible during this time. We're all in this together!!

We are our out in Lousiana until April 13th. I also teach in a Title One school and know the concern. We have set up places around our parish for breakfast and lunch pickup

I’m in Ohio and we’re closed till April 6th and it may even extend to the rest of the school year. Thank you for sharing your video.

It was so hard to leave my third graders not knowing when I would see them again. Fortunately, we have one to one chrome books, and my kiddos are use to completing assignments in Google Classroom. I cried when I saw that a third of them had already logged minutes into our online reading program this morning.

Thank you for sharing with us! We are in the same spot, but our kids are not coming back until April 24th! Yikes. It’s just so weird, teachers will go back in a week to work even without kids.

I am in the same situation as I type this. I sent my kids home today without knowing when I would see them again (we are set to come back on March 30th as well but I’ve heard that we might not even be able to come back then). I cannot explain the feeling in my stomach of sending them home and wondering if they would be fed and warm and cared for. I feel for you. This hurts.

Schools are closing here in NE, but not preschools/daycares. I work at a Montessori preschool with 3-6 year olds. We are going to try to stay open as long as possible, unless it’s mandated that we close. Happy I still have the opportunity to work! I know the families at my preschool are going to need us! Seriously wondering if we are going to have to close though.

I feel you 100 percent , we have digital learning

Depending on how long you are in FL.... if your school is one of the food distribution site now (I know they changed some) could you volunteer to help at one of them and possibly see any of your kids? If not you might be able to volunteer at Kate's with meals there? (Yes - I totally figured out what district you're in haha... stick around next year so that you can experience what March is REALLY like for us! You need to see how we do St. Pat's.)

I teach 3rd grade in Michigan and we are out of school for a month and it could be longer. I wish you the best during this time.

I am a high school teacher in LA and I just want to say that you are doing an awesome job. You have such a big heart and you care so much for your students. It is normal to worry. I understand how you feel too. I was out sick Thursday and Friday, so I had nothing prepared for those days and then found out on Thursday night we would be closed starting Monday. I spent the entire day on Friday preparing packets for my students who do not have reliable internet access. This whole situation sucks because it is so unknown. Are we going to go back? How are we going to prepare and get lessons for kids who do not have internet access if we go past the initial 2 week closure? It is such a stressful time. Stay safe!

On Friday I helped the teacher and assistant teacher get packets ready and made copies of paper and made a copy of one paper front and back stocked supplies boxes while we were doing that the students were having extra center time to socialize with each other.

I feel your pain as well as a kinder teacher. My kids hugs keep me going. I am praying that God keeps his loving hands over us. In Jesus name amen.

Here in Alberta, Canada they announced last night (March 15) that K-12 schools are closed for the remainder of the year and won't open until September at the earliest. Edit: All daycares are closed as well.

It is a very difficult position for us as educators. I worry about my babies and miss them already! Praying for all of us.

this was supposed to be my last week of student teaching, and now im not even sure when ill see them again... so tough, so crazy :(

I feel your pain.. stay safe. Did you make it to Florida? How are you doing? Please update us. 💜

I would rather be at work with my students then have to do remote learning. I have preschool special ed students and I am so sad to not be with them these next three weeks. I had to go in to prep for them today and individualize plans for each child that meet their IEPs.

We have 3 week off and spring break at the end

Where did you get your rainbow bead badge lanyard?

Not sure if this is something you could do with district rules, but perhaps spacing out some phone calls home to check in on students and their learning?

This is my first year teaching, also. I've had an extremely rough time already in some aspects and a great time in other aspects but this? This is insane. Something I never would have expected. It's heartbreaking, concerning and just so surreal. Hopefully this all ends soon and we're able to get back into the classroom and to our kiddos soon

Can you mail the learning bag to your students? I miss my kiddos so much already!

Hi, i am teaching Kindergarten in South Africa, we are to close tomorrow till after Easter. May God protect us all.

Do you like Being a Writer? We have purchased the program to use for next year!

One time I thanked my class for keeping the lunchroom clean. That same day I picked them up from lunch and learned that several of them made a huge mess. They do much better now but it took a whole class consequence for it to change; to get all of them to care (5th Grade). Sounds like you put some great learning resources together for your students!

There going be okay its all going work out in Jesus name amen

Crazy how this whole virus is going😂

It's so disrespectful of the higher ups to require something like that so last minute. Learning doesn't just happen on the fly. Ridiculous. It's lucky you followed your gut and got your stuff together in advance.