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Are you an "essential worker"? If so, what do you most want people to understand about your work during the pandemic?

As an educator, I put in 10-12 hour days and am exhausted between the data collection, meeting all of my students where they are at, having a 4-5 grade level spread even though they are all in same grade. I am tired and need a break to replenish. I feel like I have personally invested in my 23 students growth and development. They are all only 7-8 years old and I am exhausted. From working with my 4 screens to then doing extra. It is all well worth it, but just know there are people who care, who genuinely work unpaid overtime as a means to make sure every child's needs are met to the best of their ability. It is difficult. Challenging. The work form this year has me reflecting how as a teacher and educator I have adapted, transformed and changed myself. I have been able to change those around me. I was teaching middle school and high school last academic year, this current year I took a leap of faith since there was a shortage of elementary teachers. I had NO idea what distance learning would get me into. But I am forever grateful for it all because I have become a stronger person from it. My kiddos have been able to learn and grow across many subjects. I am proud and will miss them as they move onto the next grade. I get to meet them in person for the first time tomorrow! What a joy. But I also know I won't get to meet them all due to Covid. So I will do my best and go from there. Only 6 days of teaching left and I can take this summer to reflect, regroup, and reposition myself as a teacher, student, and coach.