CMU professors work to raise morale during the coronavirus pandemic
Two or three times per day during the coronavirus pandemic, Joseph Sommers sits down with a children's book and records himself reading it to his daughters.
Then he posts the reading on Facebook to share those moments with his Central Michigan University students, colleagues and friends from around the world.
The English language and literature faculty member saw a Facebook post from his cousin, who is living in Italy with her deployed husband and their two children, asking for people to send her children's books during these difficult times.
“I am an asthmatic with high blood pressure, so I’m told I am a bit at risk to go out and do most anything," Sommers said. "However, I’m also a guy with a couple of children and a couple decades plus of children's literature in my house. It didn't take too much math to figure out that maybe something I could do is post videos on Facebook of me reading to kids so their parents could have a short break."
Sommers is just one of several CMU professors who have been recording and posting videos of themselves reading and singing to boost morale of their students and families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jim McDonald, teacher education and professional development faculty member, also has been posting videos of himself reading books to his children.
"Since everyone has to stay home and schools are closed, there are some schools I work with that their parents are really looking for something to use for learning at home," McDonald said. "I figured I could read some science books and give some ideas for lessons they could do on those books."
In his classroom, McDonald shows students how to teach science for future elementary teachers and tries to show how to use science and literature at the same time. According to him, his videos model what he teaches the students in his class.
Instead of reading, Jordan Bruuresma, recreation, parks and leisure services faculty member, has been playing songs and posting the videos on Facebook.
"A lot of times on our trips, we sit together and sing songs and it really brings students together in that setting," Bruursema said. "Since we are far away and I knew things like that had a real big impact on students in some of my other classes, I was like well I guess I'll try and reach out through song virtually and see how it goes."
Bruursema has recorded three songs so far which have been uploaded to the public Facebook page "Quarantine Center of the Arts", which is the name he has given his garage he records in. The first song "Coronavirus Blues" he recorded alone, the second is a cover recorded with his roommate and the final one "My Family" is written by his daughter and features her on the pots and pans.
Listen to "Coronavirus Blues" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNtMG_Wb2-o
The three professors have used their talents and resources to help students, alumni and community members while still following CDC guidelines and nationwide shutdowns.
"If you can do anything to help people you know or don't, it's something. And it gives you a little bit more sunshine in your day," Sommers said.
