Landmark’s First Virtual Lantern

 HEADLIGHT a message from the Headmaster

Landmark’s First Virtual Lantern Another Creative Pivot by Bob Broudo

The year 2020 will always be known as the year of the pandemic, and perhaps also as the year of the pivot. Pivoting itself, the concept, certainly is not new. When I was in eighth grade, my basketball coach trained and drilled us in the skill and value of a good, quick pivot as a means to beat the defense, get to the boards, and change the course of the game. When Landmark was founded on a hilltop overlooking Massachusetts Bay within sight of a lighthouse, we adopted this symbol as our logo because it represents the need for a ship to pivot from its course to avoid danger, just as Landmark’s mission is to change the course of our students’ lives as they pivot from failure and frustration to success and self confidence.

When confronted by COVID-19 and the need to close our campuses and cancel our summer programs, everything that underpins Landmark’s unique programs immediately came undone. In-person, face-to-face, oneto-one tutorials; small classes; meaningful and empowering community involvement; and ever-present social and emotional support were interrupted. Yet, they never stopped as the Landmark team showed its incredible investment in our students and demonstrated its unmatched creativity as they grasped this opportunity to PIVOT (Provide Instruction Via Other Techniques).

Administrators, faculty, technology specialists—everyone—harnessed their energy and ability to adapt, innovate, research and learn, and implemented Landmark’s first-ever remote teaching and learning programs. As these programs rolled out in phases, the faculty became facile in new tools and methods and, most importantly, our students continued to learn. As we chart our course toward the 2020–2021 academic year, we know we can be successful with every student through our on-campus programs, and now we also know that we can provide and be successful with fullday remote programs, if need be.

Landmark rose to the challenge of a monumental pivot under the pressure and immediacy of a worldwide health pandemic—an affirmation of what works about the Landmark spirit and model. We’ve experienced highs and lows throughout our 50-year history and this unexpected pivot brought our community together like never before. BOOK-OPEN

“Landmark rose to the challenge of a monumental pivot under the pressure and immediacy of a worldwide health pandemic—an affirmation of what works about the Landmark spirit and model.”