This photo provided by Feaster Charter School in Chula Vista, Calif., shows students using bean bags in a classroom. At Feaster Charter School collaborative classrooms offer flexible seating options like ball chairs, and comfortable bean bags in which students can read and research. "An effective learning environment or classroom design is a balanced blend between aesthetics, functionality, and relevant text-rich supports that engage all students," says principal Stephanie Dominguez. With many educators saying kids can do better in a more relaxed and flexible learning environment, designers and architects have been providing spaces and furnishings to fit that bill. (Heather Galyen/Feaster Charter School via AP)
This photo provided by Feaster Charter School in Chula Vista, Calif., shows students using bean bags in a classroom. At Feaster Charter School collaborative classrooms offer flexible seating options like ball chairs, and comfortable bean bags in which students can read and research. "An effective learning environment or classroom design is a balanced blend between aesthetics, functionality, and relevant text-rich supports that engage all students," says principal Stephanie Dominguez. With many educators saying kids can do better in a more relaxed and flexible learning environment, designers and architects have been providing spaces and furnishings to fit that bill. (Heather Galyen/Feaster Charter School via AP) Credit: Heather Galyen

My husband is a fifth-grade teacher in a local public school. He was a banker for almost 20 years but changed careers for more meaningful work.

Like so many of his peers, he teaches because he enjoys sharing knowledge with his students and watching them grow. He has cried at the dinner table when sharing stories of his students’ personal struggles. I have made peace with the fact that if faced with an active shooter in his school, he would take a bullet in defense of his students and co-workers.

Many families are truly struggling raising their kids and keeping their jobs while their children learn remotely. The lack of affordable child care is a very real crisis today as is food scarcity and inadequate mental health services. Unfortunately, due to laughable funding and callous disregard for basic human needs by our government, society has looked to its schools to provide these services to its children.

We all know our public schools do not receive enough funding to provide an adequate education, let alone these other key services so desperately needed by many. So as we debate what model will work best as we reopen our public schools during a pandemic, I ask you to consider this: Are we asking those who work in schools to return to “in person” teaching because we feel it is the best educational model or because as a society we need greater access to affordable child care, mental health services and food assistance?

Jody Doele

Easthampton