Society Unmasked: Voices of Teachers and Students in Unprecedented Times

This book captures the voices of the teachers and students through their writing during the COVID-19,2020-2021 school year that was a time of unimaginable change and disruption. Our country was dealing with a worldwide pandemic, political unrest, and a fight for racial equality. Documentation of these unprecedented times is critical. We sought to capture the voices of all who have lived through the last 12-16 months. In our view, almost no group has been impacted more by the events of 2020-2021, than the teachers who have been on the front line since the start and their students whose lives dramatically changed overnight. The worldwide pandemic changed every aspect of our lives. We could no longer go to school, play sports, or go to art class. Even going outside to play with friends and neighbors was forbidden. We ran out of toilet paper and food was scarce in grocery stores. We were told to stay home, wear a mask, wash our hands until our skin felt like it wanted to fall off.

We encouraged teachers to share their stories and co-create safe spaces with their students. We combined trauma informed pedagogy with literacy to encourage students and teachers to share personal experiences and allow their voices to be heard.