Over the course of the last month, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) have come together to define the essential elements that they believe are necessary to effectively understand and address the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted students' academic and developmental experiences. This document offers their ideas on ways the nation's education systems can take a more holistic approach that seeks to understand and meet students where they are academically, behaviorally and emotionally and also offer well-rounded, culturally responsive and trauma-informed curricula and instruction. They propose a positive framing that recognizes students' strengths and stirs imaginative thinking about how to overcome the extraordinary obstacles being faced. This report reflects their desire to ensure that high-quality educational experiences are available to all students at this extraordinary time and in the future. It offers five priorities that can serve as a guide for nurturing students' learning now and beyond COVID-19. These include a focus on assessing students' needs, supporting the most vulnerable students, expanding learning time and planning for summer academics and enrichment, ensuring professional excellence for learning and growth, and establishing an education system that centers equity and excellence.