I can’t tell you how often I get emails from my beloved scholars saying things like: “I’m sorry to bother you but I am having major surgery over the weekend, so I don’t think I can hand in my assignment Monday. Can I hand it in Tuesday?”

A #teaching thread

A. You are not bothering me. It’s literally my job to be present to your thoughts and needs. That’s what our learning partnership is about!

B. Surgery—major or minor—is serious business. So is losing a family member, breaking a bone, being evicted, running out of food, a neighborhood ICE raid, etc.

You have my blessing and support to deal with real life. The assignment—ANY assignment—can wait long past Tuesday.

C. ...Unless it helps your mental health! I know sometimes it feels like an assignment is the one controllable thing in the world, and doing it helps you feel calmer or more in control. If that’s you, go to town.

D. What will you need when you come back? Let’s get you connected to people who can smooth the way. The nurse can get a buddy to carry your stuff if you’re on crutches. Your guidance counselor can run interference with your teachers, the SFA can be an emotional support...

E. This isn’t a failure. Late work is not a crime that requires a cringing apology. What matters is communicating about it—and you’re on top of that!