By Tamara Fyke
For some students and teachers, the school year is just starting. For others, a month or more of classes is already behind them. What unites us all, however, is a shared sense that this academic year is not what we expected. Another surge of COVID-19 looms, and the uncertainty that comes with it weighs heavily—especially on young people. Tensions are high, routines have been disrupted, and yet life and learning must continue.
History shows we have weathered long seasons of uncertainty before. Consider people who lived through the years of World War I and World War II. That era (1914–1945) produced a generation known for persistence, practical courage, and a refusal to be paralyzed by fear. We need that same spirit now—not by blaming others for the pandemic, but by recognizing that our true common challenge is fear itself.
Now is a time for courage. Courage means standing up for what is right and meeting our fears with steady resolve.
What does courage look like in a school community?
Courage looks like the simple acts of daily care: waking up, exercising, preparing breakfast, going to work, and greeting students with kindness and patience.
Courage looks like focused teaching that addresses learning loss with compassion: offering support, celebrating small gains, and reminding students, “You can do this. I believe in you.”
Courage looks like carving out quiet moments for yourself—an evening walk, listening to the sounds of nature, or watching the leaves fall—and allowing those moments to restore your energy.
Courage is, ultimately, accepting that in the midst of uncertainty, grief, and change, life continues—and that living fully now is a meaningful response. For those of us who can breathe and move and care for others, our task is to seek and create moments of joy: smile more brightly, pray or reflect more deeply, sing a little louder, and laugh more freely. These small acts of gratitude and connection reduce fear and build resilience.
If you feel overwhelmed, begin with the basics: take a few deep breaths. Breathe in, breathe out. Let your shoulders drop, soften your belly, and bring yourself back to the present. It’s simple advice, but it helps—and you can do it. I believe in you.
Tips for Leading Students Through Uncertain Times
Below are practical strategies teachers and school leaders can use to support students’ academic progress and emotional well-being during times of disruption.
1. Listen – Create regular opportunities for students to share how they feel about events affecting their lives, such as the pandemic, social justice issues, or environmental concerns. Active listening validates their emotions and builds trust.
2. Foster Creative Expression – The arts have long helped people process complex feelings. Provide time, space, and materials for students to draw, paint, write, dance, or build. Creative outlets support social-emotional learning and help students name and work through difficult emotions.
3. Celebrate Small Joys – Even in hard times, beauty and kindness exist. Take a nature walk with your class to tune into sights, sounds, and textures. End the day by asking students to name something they appreciate about a classmate. Play simple games, share moments of humor, and cultivate a classroom culture of gratitude.
4. Reassure and Connect – Make sure students know they are not alone. Emphasize community and collective care. Simple reassurances from adults—consistent routines, clear expectations, and compassionate responses—help students feel safer and more secure.
Teachers who model calm, openness, and empathy create environments where students can learn and heal. Small, steady actions—listening, offering creative outlets, celebrating ordinary wonders, and showing up consistently—build resilience and foster learning even when circumstances are uncertain.
As Winston Churchill once observed, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; it is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” In classrooms today, both forms of courage are essential.
About the author
Tamara Fyke is an educator and social entrepreneur committed to supporting children, families, and urban communities. She is the creator and author of Love In A Big World, which offers mental health, social-emotional learning (SEL), and wellness curriculum and resources. During quarantine, Tamara also created MusiCity Kids, an online educational program for children that focuses on health, movement, character development, STEAM, and more.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media hub focused on the shift in education toward digital curriculum.