Tammy Christopher-Joseph, originally from Lufkin Texas, is an elementary school teacher at Morin-Heights Elementary School. She says it was not easy to teach young children during the past year with COVID restrictions. “It was difficult to remain at a two-meter distance with a five-year old child. There were other difficulties; children found it hard to hear teachers speak while they wore a mask, visor and goggles,” says Christopher-Joseph.

There were tough times for teachers too. “Wearing a mask all day meant we had to speak louder and repeat what we said. Wearing a mask and visor with glasses fogged up our glasses and we sometimes got headaches,” she explains. Despite the challenges, ‘Miss Tammy’, as the students fondly called her, says the children and teachers were real troopers. “The positive attitude of the children and teachers got us through. We encouraged and supported each other. Students took the COVID rules in their stride and had no problem coming to school,” says Christopher-Joseph. “They loved to see their friends and wanted to attend class as usual. They knew their teachers did not give up so they didn’t give up either.”

France Celestino, a school principal, found the first few months of this school year was spent learning study logistics for students and teachers. Celestino was concerned about hygienic practices for students in hallways, classrooms and outdoor play. Parents needed reassurance of their children’s safety. “Students adapted quickly and remarkably well.  Teachers and staff had meetings about essential learning and kept the students and parents up to date on the latest technological tools,” says Celestino. “When possible, the children spent time outdoors this past winter to slide, snowshoe and cross-country ski. They were happy to be with their friends and do activities.” Celestino explains that there was great solidarity. “We had each others’ backs. We saw lots of kindness, generosity of spirit and resilience. Although we were faced with challenges, we superseded them.”

Maria Popova, Associate Professor, Political Science and Graduate Program Director at McGill University taught undergrads, Bachelor, Masters and PhD students this year. Popova says classes were provided online, lectures were taught on Zoom and students could ask questions to their professors during office hours. On the negative side, many students and teachers suffered ‘Zoom fatigue’, especially when a lecture was three hours long.

Since international students studied from afar, teachers had to consider the time zone. There was a time difference of 10 hours between Montreal and Korea or China, which meant lectures took place at 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Also, international students were unable to meet fellow students, attend parties or visit Montreal.  On a positive note, students with a shy personality bloomed when they used Zoom to ask questions and were more active. Students were very creative and had online pizza parties or other events to meet their classmates.

Even though professors, principals, teachers and students faced difficult pandemic challenges over the past year, there was an abundance of optimism, kindness and generosity, which meant a silver lining to a cloudy year.