Pivot!

Those of you who are fans of the TV show Friends are most likely familiar with the episode where Ross buys a brand-new couch. To get the couch up to his apartment, it has to go up flights of stairs. Ross, Chandler, and Rachel carry the oversized couch up the too-narrow stairwell, turning it as Ross yells “Pivot!” over and over in an effort to make it fit.

As I plan for this school year, I hear Ross in my head yelling, “Pivot!” With our ever-changing environment right now, I find myself having to pivot my thinking and expectations often. Just when I think I have my mind wrapped around an idea and start planning, “Pivot!”—changes have been made. In our district, we are beginning the year online. I’m learning a new platform, embracing the components of distance education, learning new procedures, and revamping curriculum. As I do, I remind myself to pivot and think of all the new things I am learning and the new opportunities I have to try something I would not have tried before. Even if you are back in a building, you are still going to have to pivot your expectations and procedures.

As teachers, we need to model our ability to pivot to our students. Our students (and their parents) are watching us and waiting to see how we approach this new year. My attitude and my ability to pivot will directly affect those around me. Involve them in problem solving along the way. Continue to build relationships and show them how we can be successful with this challenge. We have opportunities to be innovative and push ourselves to try things once unknown to us. What an exciting adventure, as long as we can pivot our attitudes to think that way.

Whatever type of teaching model we’re going back to this fall, we have to remind ourselves to pivot our actions and attitudes more often. Even though it may not look the way we planned, students will still learn and teachers will still teach. Just keep reminding yourself and your students to “Pivot!”

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