Re: Middle School Students -- EDPR 7/8112 Adolescence Sec. 001 0500-0800 R

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Date Posted: 09:05:02 03/21/07 Wed
Author: Lauren McAdams
Subject: Re: Middle School Students
In reply to: Derwin Sisnett 's message, "Middle School Students" on 08:17:10 03/21/07 Wed

I agree with the fact that most middle school teachers probably do it out of necessity because in most of my education classes you see people either wanting to get their degree to teach either elementary or secondary (high school). This is kind of sad for the middle grades because this is a time in their lives when most of these adolescent changes are taking place and the struggle with school work and their ever changing bodies. They need good teachers also who want to be there. Not to say there are not good teachers who teach middle school, but some of the good ones that I have known wanted to teach at the high school level and aren't satisfied with teaching middle school. I feel that great care needs to go into teaching these students at the middle school level and being aware of the changes that is happening within them is a good place to start. It seems like some teachers just want to assume students are acting out, but in some cases it could just be the hormones as well as the storm and stress of their adolescent lives talking. Middle school teachers or those who want to teach middle school in my opinion are probably a rare find because in dealing with them you take on the many ups and downs that they go through with adolescence and that can be hard while trying to teach the material given as well.

>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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Replies:

[> 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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