Many of us are feeling the “pandemic wall” right now.

This is understandable given the multiple crises the past year has wrought that at times feels never-ending. Collectively, we are facing crises of Health, Economy, Natural Disaster, Democracy, and Systemic Racism. And then, within all of this larger context, there is the crisis in our schools.

Many are looking forward to a return to normal school next year post-pandemic—but do we want to return to the old normal?

Even pre-pandemic, the old normal was one in which only 54 percent of students feel hopeful about their prospects in future school or to achieve their goals; and, one-third of students report they are struggling or suffering. The old normal is one in which schools are responsible for making sure our nation’s children are fed. The old normal is not equitable nor just.

We are, hopefully, at a turning point for the pandemic. We are moving out of triage mode. Vaccines are being distributed, cases are dropping. While we are still feeling very much in the darkness, glimmers of light are beginning to signify the arrival of a new dawn, of a new spring.

This in-between moment offers us a chance to ask what these crises have taught us about who we are, who we want to be, and what we want to be the “normal” to which we return.

There are seeds of opportunity in crises—but we have to create the conditions for them to sprout.

These conditions include:

  1. Creating time and space for reflection.
  2. Reframing the problems as opportunities.
  3. Asking fundamental questions.
  4. Collectively re-visioning.

These four conditions can be created in many different ways and do not require a movement—simply a person or two intent on sowing seeds together.

But collectively taking the time to reflect and learn from one another might be the most powerful way forward of all.

Read the full article about opportunities by Erin Lynn Raab at Getting Smart.