I did experience severe symptoms and had to spend the beginning of the school year in the hospital, instead of in classrooms. I personally experienced what thousands of our fellow Georgians have been through or are now going through. I had a loved one, my wife, who was experiencing COVID during the same time I had it. Like others, she wasn’t able to visit me in the hospital and we could only interact through phone calls and FaceTimes. I would not want anyone, or any loved one, to experience what I went through.
Though my symptoms were severe, and I did experience a breakthrough case, my doctors fully believe that the vaccine assisted in mitigating the effects of the virus and kept me alive during the ordeal. I am not just speaking to you as State School Superintendent, but as a fellow Georgian, when I say: I encourage all who are eligible to consult with their doctor and prayerfully and thoughtfully consider getting vaccinated. These medical professionals have been on the frontline of the battle against this virus since day one. The decision to get vaccinated is a very personal and private one, but I urge you to consult trusted medical professionals and information, considering your health and the health of loved ones.
In the hospital, I regularly checked in with Georgia Department of Education staff as we worked to support districts and schools starting the new year, but I also heard from parents and teachers.
Governor Kemp gathered feedback as well in a recent call with district superintendents from across the state. The purpose was to get an on-the-ground assessment of school reopening, part of the strong commitment the Governor has had, since coming into office, to listen to school leaders. Superintendents on the call stated they appreciated and needed the continued flexibility from the state to respond to the events happening on-the-ground.
Though there is a renewed challenge this school year due to the Delta variant, school leaders are in a much stronger position than last year: vaccines are widely available; our schools have become more accustomed to, and experienced with, quarantining and mitigation practices; there are additional resources to deploy; we are better prepared and have better infrastructure for remote learning.
From the U.S. Department of Education to the CDC, to a host of other organizations and agencies, there is no shortage of reopening plans, guidelines, or opinions – but all plans must have the faith and buy-in of local communities. As superintendents and local boards of education implement their local plans, they must continue to communicate with, respond to, and engage those they serve -- their communities. We must remain responsive not only to the virus, but to our communities.
Though issues like mask mandates can divide us, there is more that unites us.
One unifying belief shared across spectrums is the critical need for in-person learning. From the White House to the State Capitol; from the U.S. Department of Education to the Georgia Department of Education; and from educational, child development, and other experts, there’s a shared belief that in-person learning is the most effective learning environment for our kids.
However, the safety of all must be our priority.
As school leaders do everything possible to keep their doors open and in-person learning going, we have a responsibility to do our part, too. This virus cannot be strangled by mandates or planned into non-existence, but we can work together to overcome this common threat.
Even though we as Georgians are fiercely independent minded, we have always rallied together as one in times of need. In facing natural and national disasters, we have always pulled together to face and overcome the challenge at hand.
Let’s join and beat this together – Georgia’s students deserve no less.
Richard Woods, a former teacher and school leader, is Georgia’s State School Superintendent.