The Curve

Ahh the curveball. The hook, the bender, the deuce...goes by man names, but pending on it's use and placement, it can be a devastating pitch for either the hitter or the pitcher. In education, we talk about being ready for the curveball, as there is always going to be something that catches you off guard on any given day.

However, just like in baseball, how you handle the curve is huge! I believe that a lot of success or failure in handling the curve lays in the preparation before the curve even has a chance of being thrown.

There are a few things that can happen with a curve ball; You can be taken completely off guard, you can be "sitting" on it (ready and waiting) or you can be prepared in your approach and not get fooled.

What can make this pitch so devastating for hitters is when it is thrown, and thrown well, when the hitter is not expecting it. This comes in the classroom when you think you have the best, most thoroughly planned lesson and then "it" happens. We all know the "it" and whatever it may be, it completely derails the lesson and you've struck out for the day/period.

If you are "sitting" on it, or waiting for the curve to come, it is an easy pitch to hit a very long way. Same can be said in the classroom, if you know that there is a spot coming where an awkward question or mishap can happen, it is greatly satisfying to turn that curveball into a teachable moment and hit the homerun.

And, it what is my favorite response, is being well prepared and not getting fooled when the curve comes. Ok, bare with me here through the baseball talk. If you are well prepared for the situation, you know that there is a chance that the curve is coming, but you're not going to put all your thoughts to that one pitch. You have your approach at the plate, and its to be ready for whatever comes your way of sorts. You are ready to handle the fast ball, ready to drive it back up the middle or even a little the other way. This gives you the ability to keep your weight and hands back to be ready to drive the off speed pitch. Ok, I'm back; in the classroom you know that the lesson is solid and you have formative checks in place and you have a healthy amount of activities for that one kid that seems to fly through everything and get all the answers right, and you know where the possible pitfalls could come, but you're expecting the lesson to sail with no issues. But you're ready if something makes the lesson go sideways.

 So, you have the ability to choose how you handle the curve. You have the opportunity to handle it like an old pro, or flounder like a rookie. It's all in your personal preparation. Choose your culture of your classroom or school or district and be prepared for the curve, be ready to crush it and have everyone else sit back in awe of your prepared approach to your day and culture .