Supporters are helping education through the crisis
The concierge, schedule maker, IT professional or the employee at the administration. It is the supporters who ensure that education runs smoothly. Three oopers speak about the impact of the corona crisis on their work.
Image: Herman Engbers
'The only one in school'
Frans Peeters has been working as a caretaker at KPO primary schools Vondel and the Watermolen in Roosendaal for twelve years now.
"I sincerely hope that the schools remain open." Image: Herman Engbers
“In the beginning I was very afraid of getting corona myself. My son has diabetes and falls in the risk group, so I paid close attention and took extra vitamins for a better resistance. The fear has gradually diminished. Recently I did a test myself, but luckily it was negative.
During the lockdown, I was often the only person present at school. That is very strange, so quiet, I missed the colleagues and the children enormously. An advantage was that I got around to work that I otherwise don't have time for. We continued with the cleaners throughout the school. The windows cleaned, the floors mopped, all doors and handles removed and the toilets given some extra attention.
The school was in perfect order when the students were allowed to come again
I also made the school 'corona proof' with splash screens in the classrooms and indicating the walking routes in and outside the school. Also new was the purchase of disinfectant hand gel, paper rolls and spray for the tables. The whole pantry is full of it. So the school was in perfect order when the students were allowed to return. I thought that was a good moment. Some flew around my waist, they were so happy to see me again.
Sickness reports
At the beginning of the school year it was busy on the phone with sick reports, now it is less. Many parents also called to ask whether their child could go to school. We are outside every morning with two colleagues to make sure everyone follows the rules. It is annoying when parents continue to walk, but fortunately that does not happen often.
I sincerely hope that the schools will remain open and that it will return to normal from January, also for myself. It's the interaction with children and colleagues that makes my work different every day and that I enjoy going to school. ”
'We have proven our worth'
Herman Staal works at the administration of the Lindenborg in Leek, a HAVO / VWO branch of the school community De Borgen. Almost fifteen years ago, he made the transition from construction to education.
"It is harder work because of corona, that applies to everyone." Image: Herman Engbers
“I was rejected because of broken knees and I retrained in business administration and economics. I started my internship at this school and I never left. I enjoy working there, but it took some getting used to. The construction world is a tough world and I can respond quite immediately, so I had to be careful not to step on anyone's toes.
I also noticed that it is a neglected child, also with the AOb. Most of the attention goes to the teachers. We sometimes joke what would happen if all supporters stayed at home. Colleagues are faced with a closed door, the alarm is still on, there is no coffee and everyone is allowed to look for a free room for themselves. These are just the little things that help us ensure that education runs smoothly.
With seven colleagues in an empty building where there are normally 1100 students, it feels very strange
We have also proved our worth during the corona crisis. Most of the support staff continued to work at school for the most part. We took care of pupils who could not be at home, monitored attendance and absence and updated the timetable. With seven colleagues in an empty building where there are normally 1100 students, it feels very strange, as if you are working through the holidays. I was also busy preparing and scheduling the exams and the fact that they were canceled was a real downer. That is the best period for the students.
I also take care of the day schedule and adjust it in the morning when colleagues are ill. At the beginning of this school year there were many questions from teachers whether they should stay at home or not. If they had themselves tested, they would be home for a week anyway. Fortunately, testing is now faster.
Work harder
Corona makes it work harder, that applies to everyone. In addition, I am more on my guard and try to keep my distance so as not to become infected. We are lucky that our workplace is quite separate, so that not many students come by. Thirteen students have been infected so far, I hope it will stay that way and that the schools will remain open.
I never expected work at school to be so much fun. No two days are the same. You never know what question students and teachers will come up with. The appreciation I get when I can help them gives me great satisfaction. ”
'I was a kind of 24-hour helpdesk'
Susanne Meuwissen worked for more than twelve years as a teacher, ICT specialist and media coach at a primary school, after which she worked for three years as a media coach for schools at the Eindhoven library. Now she is back as an i-coach at her board Eenbes primary education in Brabant.
"It was fantastic to see how quickly teachers took up online teaching." Image: Herman Engbers
“I would like to contribute to progress in education. Within the foundation, we work together with six i-coaches on the importance of ICT in the classroom. We support and inspire schools to ensure that ICT becomes part of policy.
I do not recognize that you are appreciated less as a supporter. That may be because my contribution is immediately visible and tangible to teachers, while other supporters do a lot of work behind the scenes. Because I have been in the classroom myself, I also know the pressure and responsibility that teachers feel. I like to show that ICT is not something that comes with it, but that it has added value. For example, that you can offer customized education with digital methods, which saves a lot of time.
I like to show that ICT is not something that comes with it, but that it has added value
I experienced the corona crisis, in which schools suddenly closed, like a rollercoaster. From one day to the next, each teacher had to teach from home, something that was very new and exciting for them. It was a fun, but also stressful time, especially for teachers.
I was a kind of 24-hour helpdesk, where the questions ranged from how do I get my laptop started up to which working methods can I use best. My motto is to make myself redundant again as soon as possible. So it was great to see how quickly teachers picked up online teaching and managed to save themselves.
Threshold lower
At the beginning of this school year, teachers used to take a breath, now I notice that school-wide is being looked at which lessons we can get out of it. I find that very positive. Not only do teachers know that they can do it, the threshold is now also lower for using truly digital resources. We would not have achieved that so quickly without the crisis.
Normally I was at a school half a day a week, but now I only come by appointment outside of school hours. I hope that things can be changed soon, because you are more easily approachable for questions at the coffee machine. On the other hand, this gives me time to come up with new plans together within the foundation. ”
You can read this article for free from the December issue of the Education Magazine. The Education Magazine in your mail every month? Click here.
