In a November 2020 interview with Luke Waltzer, director of the Teaching and Learning Center at the Graduate Center, historian, and faculty in the Interactive Technology and Pedagogy program, we discuss how his practice has shifted and evolved through the pandemic. Our collective work building communities of practice at the TLC takes on new meaning and new urgency as we all navigate these crises.  In this conversation we talk about redefining rigor and high standards, how flexibility can deepen learning and engage students, care work, and the value of slowing down.