Unit 2, Activity 3

Unit 2, Activity 3: The New Abnormal: Understanding What Has Changed

The pandemic has quickly and radically reshaped the perceptions, needs and priorities of everyone associated with school -- students, teachers, staff, parents, and the community. Your research in Activity 1 likely included strategic plans and school improvement plans which were defined before the pandemic. While you may have identified some more current information through published or social media, schools remain in a fluid situation for the 2020-21 school year. It would be inaccurate to presume that previous school and district plans and priorities have not changed in the face of uncertainties posed by COVID-19. In more recent weeks and months, schools and districts may have published updates or 'return to learn' plans. These can serve as additional 'intelligence' along with the other information you gathered in the previous activity. And it is almost certain that those updates and plans will change over the course of the coming school year.

1. View the Future Ready Librarians Virtual Summit keynote by Josh Stumpenhorst. In this keynote, he addresses the challenges of librarians and educators facing an uncertain start of the school year and uses the Future Ready Librarians Framework as a means by which to examine critical questions about how librarians might lead, teach, and support in this pandemic era.

2. As you are watching this video, make note of key ideas or suggestions that Stumpenhorst shares and include 2 or 3 standout ideas on your Leadership Conversation Portfolio.

3. Consider the following questions:

• What are new or renewed needs of classroom teachers?

• What challenges do students and families face in the coming school year?

• How will the pandemic affect the ability of your school and district leaders to meet student learning goals?

4. In the Facebook Group, post one idea or insight from Stumpenhorst's keynote that resonated with you.