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Re: Middle School Students -- Jeff Osborne, 16:28:55 03/21/07 Wed
As a middle school teacher myself I can understand the need to have committed individuals that really do want to teach at that level. Originally, I wanted to teach high school, but ended up in middle school, similar to what the article said. However, nearing the end of my first year, I am happy to be with this age group. I love the uncultivated potential in these young minds. I believe this is the perfect age to find a student who has had struggles before and really help them break through and achieve success. As far as the storm and stress that is beginning to occur, it is a major challenge. Imaginge teaching 26 males and females who are just beginning puberty about sexual and asexual reproduction. One minute they are grasping every word you say and really enjoying the conversation, the next minute they're shouting out obscenities and the classroom erupts. It would seem that they're uncontrollable, but the opposite is true. They are at a time in their life when a bit of guidance is what they yearn for. They just need somebody that is patient, kind, and understanding to help them out. Oh yeah, a sense of humor wouldn't hurt.
>I read an article in the NYTimes the other day that
>addressed the woes of middle school education. They
>addressed the fact that most teachers desire to be
>elementary or high school teachers, but they become
>middle school teachers out of necessity. Although
>middle school students begin to experience changes
>that can cause them to "act out," the very fact that
>many teachers are not passionate about working with
>them can cause more harm than good.
>
>A very interesting point that was made was that many
>middle school teachers across the country are not
>required to be certified in adolescent development or
>adolescent pedagogy. As we discuss the MANY issues
>that adolescents face, it would only seem logical that
>middle schoolers get as much attention (if not more)
>as elementary school students and high school
>students. What would it take for middle schools to
>receive the attention that is needed?
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Re: Middle School Students -- Cassandra Schuyler, 19:34:27 03/21/07 Wed
As a middle school teacher, I agree with what you are saying. The reason why I think that having encouraging teachers, who really want to be there, is so greatly important is because you are not only there to teach them at this age, you need to show them a path for a brighter future. This age is so vital and they really need somebody who cares and wants to be there for them. If a teacher really does not want to be there or just wishing to be someone where, than they are not going to give their 110% and show these students that there are people who care about them. And this more than anything is what they need, a person who is there for them, cares, and teaches them workethic and values which they will use for the rest of their life. Many kids get frustrated at this age and this is where they either drop out or change their views.
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Re: Middle School Students -- Beth Hansen, 20:57:19 03/21/07 Wed
I, too, read the article in the NYTimes and was intrigued. It made me reflect on the whole "middle school concept." I have to admit that I am one of those teachers who really wanted to teach high school and was very disapointed about the prospect of teaching middle school. It has taken me almost a full-year, but I am finally starting to appreciate my students. For so long, I did not understand why my kids were acting out. The things my students have done have shocked me and overwhelemed me. However, as I get to know each of them more every day, I realize that they are just very complex, sensitive, adolescents who just want to know they have a teacher who cares about them. I agree that there should be a separate teacher education program designed specifically for middle school grades to prepare teachers for what they are getting into. If this were the case, there would be less "default" middle school teachers and more teachers who are excited and prepared to teach students in these turbulant years. I definitely could have used a little heads up on middle school children behavior, but now that I have experienced it, I think I would be bored teachiing high school!
I read an article in the NYTimes the other day that
>addressed the woes of middle school education. They
>addressed the fact that most teachers desire to be
>elementary or high school teachers, but they become
>middle school teachers out of necessity. Although
>middle school students begin to experience changes
>that can cause them to "act out," the very fact that
>many teachers are not passionate about working with
>them can cause more harm than good.
>
>A very interesting point that was made was that many
>middle school teachers across the country are not
>required to be certified in adolescent development or
>adolescent pedagogy. As we discuss the MANY issues
>that adolescents face, it would only seem logical that
>middle schoolers get as much attention (if not more)
>as elementary school students and high school
>students. What would it take for middle schools to
>receive the attention that is needed?
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Re: Middle School Students -- Bryan Wilson, 22:28:19 03/21/07 Wed
>I read an article in the NYTimes the other day that
>addressed the woes of middle school education. They
>addressed the fact that most teachers desire to be
>elementary or high school teachers, but they become
>middle school teachers out of necessity. Although
>middle school students begin to experience changes
>that can cause them to "act out," the very fact that
>many teachers are not passionate about working with
>them can cause more harm than good.
>
>A very interesting point that was made was that many
>middle school teachers across the country are not
>required to be certified in adolescent development or
>adolescent pedagogy. As we discuss the MANY issues
>that adolescents face, it would only seem logical that
>middle schoolers get as much attention (if not more)
>as elementary school students and high school
>students. What would it take for middle schools to
>receive the attention that is needed?
I agree middle school teachers should have some type of adolescent class. This would help the students and also the teachers cope with the many changes that are occurring. I also believe that if the teachers felt better prepared for the middle school experience there would not be so many teachers dreading this experience. This is a major point in the student’s life and to have a teacher who does not really want to be there can be devastating to a student’s future.
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Re: Middle School Students -- Julie Falvey, 08:50:00 03/22/07 Thu
People often say, "I would never want to be in junior high again, but I survived it." I think most people view adolescence as this uncontrollable force of nature that we are all forced to endure. As a future middle school teacher, an important part of my job will be to let the adults in my students' lives know that there are strategies we can implement to improve the transition experience for our students. If the general public does not see the importance of creating a nurturing educational environment designed specifically for the special needs of adolescents, then the school systems will never have the support they need to improve the middle school experience.
>I read an article in the NYTimes the other day that
>addressed the woes of middle school education. They
>addressed the fact that most teachers desire to be
>elementary or high school teachers, but they become
>middle school teachers out of necessity. Although
>middle school students begin to experience changes
>that can cause them to "act out," the very fact that
>many teachers are not passionate about working with
>them can cause more harm than good.
>
>A very interesting point that was made was that many
>middle school teachers across the country are not
>required to be certified in adolescent development or
>adolescent pedagogy. As we discuss the MANY issues
>that adolescents face, it would only seem logical that
>middle schoolers get as much attention (if not more)
>as elementary school students and high school
>students. What would it take for middle schools to
>receive the attention that is needed?
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Re: Middle School Students -- Derwin Sisnett, 09:21:15 03/28/07 Wed
I think you bring up a very good point when you address the adults in an adolescent's life. So often we rely on ourselves to teach students, but we forget that it is equally important to find OTHER adults, particularly parents/guardians, who CAN have a vested interest in an adolescent's life. Yes, adolescence is a time of tumultuous change, but that underscores how important it is for adolescents to have consistency in their lives. Consistent attention from adults (since they have experienced adolescence) inside and outside of the classroom can help to NURTURE adolescents as they grow into successful adults. I think we stop the nurturing process once children step out of elementary school for good, but nurturing should continue way beyond that. One or two adults cannot do it all!
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