Teaching Profession

Tiny Teaching Stories: ‘His Test Was Positive for COVID-19'

By Catherine Gewertz — July 06, 2020 3 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

The Powerful Moments of Your Lives, Distilled

We invite teachers to share their triumphs and frustrations, the hilarious or absurd moments of their lives, in no more than 100 words.

For more Tiny Teaching Stories, click here.

To submit your own story, click here.

‘His Test Was Positive for COVID-19'

BRIC ARCHIVE

Unbelievable times! My school closed, and we were preparing for virtual learning. That weekend, my husband got sick. His test was positive for COVID-19. My superpowers turned on! Taking his temperature every two hours, sanitizing, and making him healthy meals were my first concerns.

After staying awake for nearly 48 hours, I had a Zoom meeting with my 96 6th grade science students. Boy, did I look rough!

None of my students knew that my husband was sick. But one exclaimed, “Mrs. G., you need to have your camera checked on your computer as soon as possible.” Kids!

Beth Garver
6th grade science
Mooresville, N.C.

‘Keep Saying Good Morning’

BRIC ARCHIVE

“Good morning! I’m happy to see you!” I hear grumbled replies and view half-lidded eyes. I know, mornings are rough. Regardless, I smile and say, “Have a great day!” because a good day is not enough.

At year’s end, I ask what I should change about my class. The reply that floored me: “I don’t care what you change but keep saying ‘good morning.’ Nobody else ever said it to me. It was always a nice start.”

The simplest things we do as teachers can make a profound difference in someone’s day. I hold that in my mind, always.

Sandra Swanson
High school chemistry and environmental science
Storrs, Conn.

‘He Woke Up Excited for School Again’

BRIC ARCHIVE

He’d been held back twice already. We were all hoping this year would be different and, for a while, it was.

Then, for months, he fell back into the same habits. Here we go again.

When schools closed, he stopped responding for weeks. I was determined to have him finish. I kept texting to just check in on him. He started responding and engaging in the work! I then received this text from mom:

“I’m not sure what happened, but he woke up excited for school again. Thank you so much for all you’re doing.”

This is why I teach.

Ramya Subramanian
5th grade
San Jose, Calif.

‘I Failed Her’

BRIC ARCHIVE

Nearly 50 years ago, about 3 a.m. the phone wakes me and my wife from sleep. Two young ladies, former students from sophomore English, have called. I hear sobs, frustration, fear, panic—one is pregnant—asking advice. I know her home life is a mess. Saying, “Talk to your parents,” who likely were not even there, was not an answer.

I had no advice, no wisdom for that anguished call. I mentioned one of the school counselors, but I knew the limitations they faced. This student needed someone to be there—I failed her. My next day’s grammar lesson seemed less than hollow.

Andy Anderson
High school English, retired
Overland Park, Kan.

‘Algebra, Not Autism’

BRIC ARCHIVE

I had just introduced my students to an algebraic concept. I asked for a volunteer to come to the board to solve an equation.

One student rudely commented, “Let autism try.”

Jacob, the quiet student who always completed his work quickly, replied, “It’s algebra—not autism.” With that, he put the sophisticated color-coded puzzle on his desk for all to see, walked to the board, solved the problem, and returned to his seat.

The smart aleck mouthed, “I’m sorry” to Jacob, as everyone else in the room smiled at Jacob—the math genius!

Sheila Freeman
Secondary literacy coach
Little Rock, Ark.

About This Project

Teachers’ lives are packed with powerful moments: moments of triumph, frustration, absurdity, joy, revelation, and hilarity. We want to hear about them.

Submit your Tiny Teaching Story, in no more than 100 words, here.

Related Tags:

Edited by Catherine Gewertz

Events

Student Well-Being K-12 Essentials Forum Social-Emotional Learning 2025: Examining Priorities and Practices
Join this free virtual event to learn about SEL strategies, skills, and to hear from experts on the use and expansion of SEL programs.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Inside PLCs: Proven Strategies from K-12 Leaders
Join an expert panel to explore strategies for building collaborative PLCs, overcoming common challenges, and using data effectively.
Content provided by Otus
Teaching Profession Key Insights to Elevate and Inspire Today’s Teachers
Join this free half day virtual event to energize your teaching and cultivate a positive learning experience for students.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Teaching Profession Opinion Want to Retain Teachers? Try These Strategies
Better money is a solid first step. But teachers need to be treated as professionals if they are to stay.
12 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Profession How Can Schools Get More Men to Be Teachers? Look to Nursing for What Works
More men are becoming nurses—offering some lessons for K-12 education.
6 min read
Male teacher figures winding their way down a career path to the entrance of a school.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/Getty Images
Teaching Profession Three Tips to Help Mentors Work Better With Teachers
A great mentor can help novice teachers progress in their first year and prevent burnout. Here's how to boost their relationships.
3 min read
Illustration of a diverse group of 7 professionals helping one another climb a succession of large bars with some using a ladder.
iStock/Getty
Teaching Profession Opinion The One Quality That Every Great Teacher Shares
A lot has changed during my two decades as a teacher, but one thing is just as true as it was on my first day.
Eduardo Barreto
3 min read
A man carrying a big stone. Concept art of problem solution and hardness. surreal painting. conceptual artwork. 3d illustration
Jorm Sangsorn/iStock