For the Love of Middle School

I read one of the best blog posts just recently. Here's the link!  It's all about the culture of middle school children, and it prompted me to think of my own little middle school bunch, and just how unique each and every one of them are.  

Whenever I tell someone I teach middle school, they normally respond with an astounding "Wow." This "wow" is not usually the "wow" one might get if they, say, told someone they'd just won the lottery.  No, my "wow" is more like "Holy cow lady I feel bad for you, God Bless you, you're insane, I wouldn't want your job."  And let's be honest, some days I wonder if working at Walmart might be easier...

However, I've learned some very important lessons while teaching middle school that I'd like to share with you.

1. You need to be a little nuts to teach middle, because they're a little nuts, too.

I mean this with the utmost sincerity and respect.  If you are a person who thrives on order, discipline, rigid structure, hates surprises, etc., this is NOT the job for you.  Middle school kids are kindergartners in big bodies.  Their hormones are flaring, and they are growing so fast they are not aware of their own limbs.  They cry at the drop of a hat, sweat profusely, and have a certain "smell" that can only be described as foot-butt-armpit-did-you-eat-onions funk.  They have to be reminded to wash their hands.  Some days you might get them to all sit in their seat, and other days you're teaching from the floor and they all have their shoes off, because, hey, it works.  To be a great middle school teacher, you have to be FLEXIBLE and have an innate ability to decipher what they need, even when they can't articulate it themselves.

2. Remember that you are educating people, not statistics.

This may sound strange but sometimes it's easy to forget that students are people, not test scores.  They have good days and bad days just like we do.  They have it worse because their bodies and brains are undergoing construction and they don't even realize what's happening to themselves day by day.  

3. Be dependable

Many of these kids have little structure or routine in their lives.  Therefore, it's up to us to provide that for them. I've known teachers to take this to the extreme and even wear the same style outfit every single day (think Papa Smurf).  Whatever routines and structures you set in place, know that kids not only need that, they want that.  There's a reason kids go nuts when a substitute is in the room, and no it's not because they think it's a party.  It's because the structure and routines are not present that day, and this triggers behavior issues in many students.  Consider how you feel when your routine is disrupted.  

Also, a lot of this job is based on trust.  Kids need to know that you mean what you say, that you WILL do what you say you will do, and that they can count on you.  Children don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

4. We all want validation

If I had a dollar for every time I engaged in a conversation about Pokemon or the latest video game or a student's work, I'd be a wealthy woman.  Kids want to be heard.  They want to be seen.  They want feedback on their academic performance.  They want to share their likes and dislikes with you.  Listening to them is a sure fire way to connect, to create buy-in, and in turn insure the success of students in your class this year.

The same goes for your colleagues.  We don't all need a parade every time we un-jam the copy machine, but a little recognition every now and then goes a long way.  Consider putting a random note in someones mailbox.  Buy coffee one time.  Bring in donuts (Unless everyone is doing the Biggest Loser challenge!)  And for Gods sake, smile.  Everyone, EVERYONE, has stuff going on, is living life the best they can, is busting their butts at work just as hard as you are.  Be sure to prop each other up.