“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate…. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” (Haim G. Ginott, Teacher and Child: A Book for Parents and Teachers www.goodreads.com).

As Matt Erickson pursued a career in education, he aligned his philosophy with that of renowned educator and child psychologist Haim Ginott. The latter, born in Israel and later educated at Columbia, wrote a best seller still used today by teachers and child therapists throughout the world.

In his works, the author/educator taught “basic communication principles that will guide parents in living with children in mutual respect and dignity.”

For Erickson, superintendent of Lincoln County School District 2, Ginott’s principles support his belief in the district’s approach to teaching:

“We believe in Lincoln 2 and our philosophy has always been that education is not a place. It’s a service.”

That philosophy has never proved more apt. Since Erickson made that statement on March 27 two weeks after schools throughout the state closed their doors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have partnered with teachers – virtually, much of time – as the district has implemented what is called the “Adapted Learning Plan.”

All schools, including three high schools, one middle school and five elementary schools, within Lincoln County School District 2 have launched virtual/online teaching or if online is not possible for rural areas, lots of phone calls and homework packets sent into the homes – for nearly 3,000 pupils.

But it hasn’t been without bumps – and perhaps a few tantrums and tears. And that’s just the parents.
In fact, “lots of tears, anger and frustration” at times was the way Camie Hale described the first weeks of “home school.”

Describing often feeling “like a failure as a mom” while trying and not always succeeding at turning in all the homework for her 6th grader, Hale, a mother of four in Osmond and owner of “The Flower Shop” in Afton, talked with SVI Media over the phone. In the conversation, Hale shared with a few chuckles how she and her family have struck a tentative balance – so to speak – between getting it all done and hitting pause.

“Walking away,” she said, gives her children – Caellie, 17; Maddie, 14; Kamdyn, 11; and Tucker, 4 — a chance to get out in the fresh air and do what they love most. And that would be riding their horses.
But stepping “away from your stresses and looking at the positive” also gives the mom a chance to “have a little time for myself, to be a better person.”

“My reprieve is to go snowshoeing or for a bike ride a couple times a week, to go by myself, collect myself and then come back and focus,” Hale related.

That sentiment has been shared countless times across the nation by countless parents – especially mothers. In one Associated Press article last week, one mom in a town near Boston threw up her hands and sent her young son to watch Godzilla movies.

“I think the pressure is on and I think it’s on even more for some of our low-income families. It’s totally overwhelming,” the article quoted Rachel Pearl saying. Pearl is chief program officer for Friends for Children-Portland.

One parent mentioned actually said at one point she wanted to fold up in the fetal position. Another mother finally reached out to her Parent Teacher Organization and found support and proactive cooperation from teachers.

That proactive cooperation is just what Erickson is seeking for Lincoln County 2.

“On the parent side,” Erickson told SVI, “we know that parents are the rock stars and are doing the best they can. They aren’t trained teachers [and] they don’t have to be.

“Trust your gut,” he urged parents who are concerned. “Keep things in perspective. Don’t let frustration over this damage your relationship with your child because the small academic gains are not worth damaging the relationship with your child.”

Erickson said he emphasizes to teachers to be flexible and “differentiate for each family because families are under anxiety and stress.”

That balance is just what Camie and her husband, Eli, have done. As the first weeks of school closure passed, Camie realized one hindrance for Kamdyn was in her IEP (individualized education plan). The 6th grader does better with a pencil and paper. So Camie contacted the teacher, who readily agreed Kamdyn would do math on paper and a photo of the finished homework would be submitted.

And Kamdyn gets on Zoom daily with her teacher. So now with the daily online meeting and adjusted goals, “we’re not overwhelmed. We try to break it up in the day.”

So for the Hale family, the following has made a difference:

1) Have a routine. They generally have school from 9-11 a.m. And then, no matter what isn’t done, they’re done.
2) Have rewards. For the Hale children, it’s horseback riding.
3) Focus on one thing at a time. Then move on.
4) Get fresh air. Camie said this Wednesday “maybe we’ll go for a drive. If we have schoolwork done, and we can take Wednesday to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.”
5) Keep it all in perspective. “Take a look at what’s important.”
6) Look for the positives. “I realized my kids are getting along better,” Camie related. “And I’ve enjoyed the time we get together as a family and enjoy meals together. When the kids are going in separate directions, they seem more focused on themselves. Since being home, they spend more time with each other. For me as a mom, that’s something.”

For Erickson, perspective is everything. “For instance, for a senior, if you do the math, less than 2 percent of their K-12 career has been affected by COVID-19. For kindergarteners, it’s 25 percent of their career. For seniors, we need to celebrate all their wonderful accomplishments.”

In the fall, he predicted, school will be back to “normal.” And school districts and parents will fill in the gaps. But in 20 years, he emphasized, kindergarteners will be adults. And to paraphrase a well-known quote, “They’ll remember the way you made them feel. That’s more important now than ever.”

Editor’s note: Some information for this article came from Goodreads.com (quotes from Haim Ginott), and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haim_Ginott#cite_note-bpc-1 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haim_Ginott%23cite_note-bpc-1> . See also https://www.ksl.com/article/46743713/i-just-cant-do-this-harried-parents-forgo-home-school.