Just a few thoughts on flexibility in the classroom that have been circling the last few weeks.

When students ask for flexibility, they are asking us to see their humanity first and fully. No half-measures. No hollow words. None of that.

So, what does flexibility truly look like in a classroom (virtual or otherwise)? We need to talk about this from two perspectives—day-to-day and big picture.

In the day-to-day, it means checking in with students every time you meet and asking where they are at.

It means being vulnerable enough as a teacher to request true, honest feedback from students through as many different paths as possible (Google Forms, 1-on-1 check-ins, quick check questions in the chat at the start of class).

It means actually hearing that feedback.

To actually hear that feedback means, sometimes, to alter the gameplan. If I'm a football coach, and I planned for a sunny day, and all of a sudden it's a torrential downpour, I'm not going to keep going with the original gameplan. That's not setting my players up for success.

Flexibility as humanity also means showing students that you care about their wellbeing first. That means getting comfortable with getting less done this year. The world isn't going to stop. And you can pride yourself on knowing that you did right by the humans in your space.

The same rules apply for your class broadly.

This means not having hard deadlines and making it clear to students, every time out, that you are being honest about that. Be clear about the benefits of getting work in on-time versus two weeks later. Be honest.

This means, when you request feedback, not just asking general questions but also asking hard questions like, "Are you able to handle the work in this class as currently assigned?"

And, just to be clear, this only works if you've created a strong culture in your class.

It also means giving students freedom with the assignments. If you asked for oranges, but students want to produce pears (which, fine), you should do everything in your power to say yes, even if it means creating more work for yourself.

To be clear, flexibility does work at the detriment of things like clarity and structure. It means building the plane as you fly it, and you need to be honest with students about that trade-off.

Being transparent about trying to see their humanity will go a long way.

Students need flexibility always, not just in times of crisis. It's what will allow them to create the best possible work, and it's on us as teachers to give them the best shot at doing just that.