Gaining Perspective from a Pandemic

In 5th grade, teachers focus on the concept of “perspective” in much of their work. Prior to Parker’s shift to remote learning, when one student used the morning meeting to share her independent efforts to write get-well notes to patients who had recently contracted COVID-19, a number of her peers were interested in lending their hearts and pens to the effort.

 

Teacher Mike McPharlin seized upon this teachable moment to expand the conversation to include doctors and nurses—to be thankful and appreciative of other people’s perspectives. 

 

McPharlin shared, “Just appreciating the sacrifice and efforts that doctors and nurses and even patients are making to get through this crisis is an important idea to try and grasp through these crazy times.” 

 

With the curricular table set and student interest stoked, McPharlin reached out to 5th grade Parker parents and physicians A. Kyle Mack and William McDade to see what might be possible. Both doctors were happy to help with the idea and agreed to deliver the 5th grade letters to their respective hospital communities.

 

Next, McPharlin invited his peer 5th grade teachers Jeff Stone and Scott Turner and their students to contribute to the community goodwill effort.

 

McPharlin will deliver the notes to the doctors this weekend to distribute to doctors, nurses and patients in the coming days. Great work to all involved in living out Parker’s mission as they lead with empathy during these trying times!