Who on earth starts writing a blog during a pandemic? Interestly, more people than you might expect. Technology provides wonderful ways to express feelings (read just about any Facebook page), make new traditions, and keep folks informed. There is some terrific work going on in the world today.

I am writing today to express gratitude, in this moment of great upheaval. I personally have much to be grateful for, and professionally I am grateful for:

• Leaders who had the foresight to build out responsive infrastructures that made “going online” in a few days possible. I think specifically of the small school I know well. Theirs is a rags to riches story. Over two determined years they went from a non-performing, technical debt-ridden environment to one that has allowed them to almost turn on a dime. The VPAA texted me to say how grateful he was that they had a hosted LMS and enterprise Zoom. Huzzah, I say.
• So to my second gratitude. For all of those instructional designers and educational technology leaders who have been working hard over the past few weeks to transition otherwise reluctant constituents within the institution to what we technologists have been using for the longest time. And knowing, for a very long time, needed to be part of pandemic planning. Huzzah, I say.
• And, for today, my final gratitude is my technology colleagues. I have personally witnessed and supported many professional colleagues and personal friends as they have navigated these new waters. How awesome they are. Whether their institutions were ready or not, they were and are on the front lines of institutional survival. Huzzah, I say.

We at Ferrilli see these fine folks on a daily basis, whatever our role at is. You are our heroes. We love to help make your work and your lives easier. We are here for you.