Omicron Is Making A Mess Of Instruction, Even Where Schools Are Open

Corrected: Tracy Freeman's lesson in a previous version of this article misstated the year of the presidential election. It was the 1968 presidential election.
In the midst of record-breaking COVID-19 case numbers, almost all schools resumed in-person learning this week after the holiday break. However, the virus continues to cause severe disruptions in education.

Thousands of schools have been forced to shut temporarily as a result of the increase, drawing praise from some parents who believe it is the greatest choice for keeping children safe and criticism from others who believe even a brief closure is harmful to kids' mental health and academic achievement. Despite the debate, the great majority of schools are still open. Teachers claim that even without the hassles of remote learning, student absences and staff shortages have put a kink in their preparations for the start of this semester, making it hard to continue with their program.

Omicron has been a logistical headache for schools and the families they serve, as well as an emotional toll. It also makes it more difficult for educators to make progress with academic rehabilitation. Teachers are concerned that the ramifications of this little interruption will last throughout the school year.