Stay-at-Home Diaries | Jeannie Robbins, Director of Operations and Student Services

On Thursday, March 19, Los Angeles residents were asked to stay in their residences and limit all activities outside of their homes beyond what is necessary for essential tasks. Days later, PCM adapted its lessons and programs and launched a “distance learning” spring quarter.

For this series, we’re checking in with students, instructors, and staff members to see how they’re managing and how distance learning (and teaching) is working for them.

Woman in home office

PCM: Where are you right now and who are you with?
JR: I’m at my home in La Canada. I was fortunate that my oldest son was in transition moving from Orange County to Los Angeles when Covid-19 hit. He temporarily moved in with me and we are in quarantine together.

PCM: How are you feeling and how have you adjusted to life at home?
JR: It took some adjustment getting acclimated to staying home all day, every day. Establishing routines and finding the best part of the house to set up an office was key to feeling comfortable.

PCM: What does a typical day look like for you right now?
JR: I start my day with a cup of coffee followed by a morning walk around the neighborhood. This helps me wake up and plan my day. Once back home, I settle into my office space and answer emails, send out correspondence and look at the latest PCM’s Keep Calm and Play On series. I love seeing how our families are adjusting themselves. I also try to keep connected with our amazing faculty. Hearing how they are finding ways to engage and teach through distance learning is inspiring.

PCM: What are you most looking forward to when everyone returns to campus? What, if anything, will you miss?
JR: I look forward to speaking with so many people.

Telling the students I saw in video clips how much watching them play their instruments brought joy and normalcy to our daily lives.

Thanking parents for continuing the lessons and classes for their kids when it might have been easier to stop altogether.

Telling the teachers how impressed and proud it made me watching them take the distance learning challenge and embrace it with such dedication.

Thanking our maintenance and security team for keeping our campus safe and well maintained while we have all been away.

PCM is a very special place because of all the people who work and learn there. We are blessed to have each other!