What Is One Thing That You Are Grateful For?

There was no shortage of gratitude throughout the pandemic (though sometimes it took some intentionality to focus on it and provide it!).  When asked about gratitude now as the end is in sight, Castleton faculty and staff shared some pretty clear trends.  There were, of course, the fundamentals:

• No one I know died from Covid.
• I had a job and Castleton stayed open.
• The rigor to rise too.

And thinking of how we were somehow able to continue with our work and provide continuity of service:

• Internet!!!
• Technology and students who can adapt!
• Harvard Business Publishing webinars
• The pedagogical power of simple consistency.

The people who enabled and empowered us were on many writers’ minds:

• Supportive and kind colleagues willing to commiserate and share strategies.
• My colleague and my supervisor.  They were a well of patience and knowledge that I could draw from all year.
• Not something, someone(s):  Sarah, Gillian and Chris.
• The zoom seminars provided for we professors to learn technology and share best practices with the pandemic.
• Support from IT and SARAH CHAMBERS (multiple notices!).
• In general, my students were very understanding and had a good attitude regarding the switch to remote (even though remote labs are very challenging and/or less fun).
• Students’ willingness to attend synchronous classes consistently (for the most part), on time (for the most part) and prepared (for the most part).
• The kindness, respect and awareness of all employees and students in adhering to COVID friendly practices that allowed us to be in person for the spring semester.

And maybe one reflection sums up some things we re-discovered about care and gratitude this year:

Though it was really tough at times to balance all of our wild schedules and keep up with all of our policies, I still was able to connect and have some fun and laughs with my students. My CAs are such an awesome bunch, and gosh, I really care about them. I had to take some time at home for family emergencies this semester that kept me off campus for awhile, and so many sent me a text to let me know they were thinking of me, which was so sweet and unexpected. I also love the new culture of care in the university, having folks recognize we are doing tough work and advocating for each other to spend time away from the office is so healthy. My home is my work and my work is my home, the nature of my position, but my peers and my supervisor were always really supportive of finding creative ways for me to get away from campus for awhile, even if it was just so I could spend the day crocheting in a park in the sunshine. I hope that is something that continues.