However, we can model what it means to be calm and collected.

We can
express our fears and vulnerabilities, but do it in a way that inspires hope and
resolve for our students.

As our society deals with the Coronavirus, take the precautions you need to
take and feel the way you need to feel. I have no desire to tell people not to
feel or express their anxiety. But my hope for you as an educator is that you
are constantly reminded of the impact you get to have on your students, that
no matter what the world looks like outside of your classroom, you can model
peace to them. And I hope this inspires you to ponder these questions:

What does it mean to be calm in crisis?

How can I exude and model this calm with my students?
How can I give my students the opportunity to voice their fear and anxiety in a
safe way?
What am I doing to preserve my own mental health as I pour out so much
energy for my students?

Our students are not going to remember the grammar or math drills they
did while being quarantined. They will remember the teachers who cared
about their well-being, who reached out and showed empathy for what they
were dealing with.

Beyond the electronic connection, we need to connect emotionally -- especially in times

of anxiety and uncertainty. As a neuroscientist, I know that emotions are key to learning.
In Descartes’ Error, Antonio Damasio asserts, “We are not thinking machines. We are
feeling machines that think.” Recent literature affirms the importance of the affective
domains in teaching and learning.