When it comes to professions that have changed as a result of the pandemic, teaching is at the top of the list. But while many professionals are now experiencing improved working conditions as a result of the pandemic, this is certainly not the case for teachers.

While many professionals were working reduced hours during the NSW lockdowns, my colleagues and I worked tirelessly to prepare engaging, outcome-based online lessons using Teams or Zoom. We used online quizzes, videos and interactive whiteboards to engage students in content, while breakout rooms, textbook activities and file sharing services allowed us to assess student learning and provide valuable feedback. This hard work took place at a time when teachers were subjected to the ever-changing decisions of bureaucrats, frequently left off of the Premier’s ‘thank you list’ during pandemic press conferences, and were not even eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine.

When restrictions eased, NSW schools did not return to normal, pre-pandemic conditions. Continuing restrictions prevented large gatherings, meaning that students were unable to meet for assemblies and year group meetings, thus limiting the amount of time teachers had to prepare lessons. Further, the ongoing impact of the pandemic has meant that many students have continued to isolate, meaning that teachers are having to balance teaching the students in front of them with teaching those joining the class from home. This, coupled with the increasing administrative duties teachers are required to do, has meant that the majority of teachers now work more than 55 hours a week for no additional remuneration.

These issues have coincided with, and contributed to, a teacher shortage in NSW. At the time of writing, there are more than 1,000 full-time teaching positions unfilled in NSW, and finding casual staff to replace teachers who contract Covid-19 is extremely difficult, even at affluent schools. What’s more, 1 in 8 teachers now leave the profession within 6 years because of the workload pressure and poor pay.

These issues are not unique to NSW, but seem to reflect the attitudes towards, and treatment of, teachers in the West. Rather than highlight the dedication, creativity and flexibility of teachers, the pandemic has reinforced the unsavory stereotypes of teachers as lazy, replaceable and insignificant.

Let’s hope that the hard work of teachers around the world becomes more valued in the years to come.

Because of my sexuality, i think people will judge me. certain people in my year call things "too gay" or they'll say they don't want to change in front of others because they're "not gay" this isn't much of a problem to me, but even my family said they don't support the lgbtq+ community. I feel like I cant be myself in front of my family or friends for I think they will judge me. It hurts seeing people getting judged by who they love.

Hate has and always will be present. The fear of Asians and the hate that follows has become more evident today. Stemming from the outbreak of COVID-19, the world looked to one group for responsibility. Tensions grew higher as president Trump labelled the virus “Kung Flu” and the “China Virus” All Asian-Americans became a scapegoat for the coronavirus. Hate crimes against Asian citizens saw an increase of 77% and rose to more than 9,000 incidents in 2021. This vilification of Asians have fuelled racist stereotypes, greatly impacting the mental health and personal safety of many Asian immigrants. Hate spread through America due to the fear people had against Asians.

As a student, athlete, and musician, the impact of my identity differs between each setting. In the classroom, students would derisively joke, blaming me specifically for bringing the virus into the country. Regardless of ethnicity, all Asians were viewed as the problem. Out on the field, it wasn’t any better. While playing an indoor lacrosse league, teams would blatantly chant “stop the spread” and slurs as I was the only Asian on the field. Despite this, there were no repercussions and no acknowledgement of the event. The conservatory, which carried the majority of the Asian population in my school, seemed to be a haven in my school, safe from the threats and comments. However, due to this fact, the music program had received hate from school community members.

So, what can we do about this?

Issues on racial injustice are unacceptable as well as unforgettable. The scar of hate has been done and we can only try to stop the spread. Even without a set solution, as a country and community all together, we must heal and acknowledge the wrongdoings. We must think about things that are true rather than the biased emotions of fear. We must leave it all in history but never forget so we don’t make the same mistakes in the future.

Last summer, I was coming back home from boarding school and my sister was coming back home from college and to come back to Ethiopia ( where I’m from) you needed to quarantine for a couple days and get tested. My sister got tested and the organization she got tested at told us she was positive, then they said her result was “inconclusive” but then she had to go to the sanctuary at that time for the people affected by covid. Me and my parents were outside waiting because no one was sure about her results, she had to quarantine for 30 more days in order to get tested again. Me and my parents unsure of wether we have it or not either were unsure of what to do and how to take care of this situation. After the 30 days of my sister quarantining the organization told us that they were mistaken and her results weren’t positive at all so we all were just paranoid for no reason :))

My friends and I had a zoom presentation night. Obviously, we couldn't hang out in person, so this was the next best thing. It was a lot of fun, because some of the presentations were the most unhinged things you've ever seen. It was just amazing to be able to have fun with my friends seen though we were all stuck in our houses.

Roe V. Wade

Honestly, conservatives have had it made.

"Infants be saved today, our sins have been paid"

Honestly, they ain't gonna see the light of day

'Cause once they any marginalized individual, conservatives ain't gon' pay

Trying to take away female rights

Then questioning why we put up a fight

They said they gave us a chance, inch to a mile

I haven't heard such BS in a while

Hell, I'll take a mile, in fact, I'll take two

Our resistance got them acting like fools

But that's all cool

After all, we gonna be changing the rule

Now imagine what it's like to have a safe environment

For women around the entire world, now that's an Enlightenment

Why don't we finally hold men accountable?

After all, they be getting away with everything, grossly unreliable.

Now I'm not trying to throw bars or shade,

But justice is delayed.

People be dismayed.

You still tryna overturn Roe V. Wade?