Teachers are being asked to do more than humanly possible, including put themselves and their loved ones at risk for COVID-19. Remote and blended options may not be perfect, but when there is an outbreak the City's schools are typically among the last in the state to recognize the need. Students and parents often don't know what to do, and are looking to the city's leadership for clear guidance.

On the one hand our previous mayor and chancellor said they wanted to believe scientists and protect our communities, but on the other hand they made themselves subject to the whims of political groups who may not have had the best interests of the students at heart. Schools opened and closed based on which way the political winds were blowing, and students suffered for that lack of forethought or planning. Administrators continued to rate teachers using a model that was completely inappropriate as well as demoralizing. Most of us are giving the very best effort we can, and it hurts to listen to those above tell us it's not good enough. Many experienced teachers have simply retired rather than expose themselves to this harsh and dangerous work climate.

Let the new mayor and chancellor know that we support our educators by acting quickly and responsively to reported cases of COVID-19. Have a city-wide plan in place to go fully remote whenever and wherever there is an outbreak. And stop blaming those teachers who are unable or unwilling to martyr themselves when their working conditions are neither supportive nor safe.