TEACHERS AS PARENTS Aliw Intro: Hey, it’s Aliw. This month, we’re showing our appreciation for moms…and teachers. So what better way to do that than sharing this episode from Season 1, it’s a conversation between Melissa and Arienne, two moms, who are both teachers, and are raising three children of their own.  I remember the first time I listened to Melissa and Arienne, they talked about the challenges they had faced while teaching remotely at the height of the pandemic..while taking care of their kids at home, at the same time. It sounded like A LOT! But you know, even at that point, I could still hear how much they loved being a mom, and how much they cared for their students. And that’s pretty remarkable! So we want to say thanks to Melissa and Arienne for spending time with us, because we know how busy moms and teachers can get! And also, for opening up about the struggles they faced during one of the toughest periods of our time. Melissa and Arienne, thanks for doing what you do.  [music comes in] Arienne Rusgal: Remote teaching is pretty hilarious.  Melissa Benedicto: I agree. Arienne: The things that you say now, “Turn on your camera, right?” “Mute please.”   Aliw Pablo: Meet Melissa and Arienne, two teachers who are also moms. Melissa: Please don’t bring your iPad to the bathroom. Don’t share too much information when you come back from the bathroom, please. Aliw: They both were forced to adapt to the drastic changes the pandemic brought at work and at home. Studies show that women in general have taken the hardest hit during this pandemic, many having to leave the workforce due to the overwhelming pressure of juggling it all — working and being a mom. So today, we’ll talk to Melissa each with three children of their own and how they’ve managed to thrive during a very difficult time when the lines between being a teacher and a mom at home are often blurred. I’m Aliw Pablo. Welcome to Making Changes, a podcast about two people on the path to change but are in different stages in their journeys. (Show Open) On today’s episode, Melissa and Arienne open up about the challenges of wearing two hats at home during this pandemic. Melissa has three children, two teenagers and an 11-year-old while Arienne asks Melissa for advice on teaching remotely while caring for three kids under the age of 3 at home. Melissa talks about how after 15 years of teaching, the challenges of a virtual classroom made her think about possibly changing her career but she’ll tell us what it was that made her stay. We’ll be flies on the wall as these two moms talk openly about what they learned about themselves and the changes they’ve had to make in perspective as educators and as moms. And they’ll tell us about the big part that God played in their lives during this uncertain time. Let’s listen in. Melissa: What's up fellow mom? Arienne: I'm so glad to talk to you because let me tell you, it is so hard to be a mom and a teacher right now. And just being able to talk to you is just giving me already a sense of relief here. Melissa: You know, being able to talk to adults, sometimes is relaxing and therapeutic. Arienne: Yes. I just kind of wanted to get your thoughts and some advice on some stuff, just because, you know, especially with a pandemic, and having three kids under three and trying to teach from home and trying to teach online while they're crying downstairs and just trying to do it all. It just hasn't been easy. Like, I just feel like I can't do it all. I don't know how to be that super mom. I mean, what do you do? Melissa: Other than cry in the corner on a daily basis. I kid,