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

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Date Posted: 20:57:19 03/21/07 Wed
Author: Beth Hansen
Subject: Re: Middle School Students
In reply to: Derwin Sisnett 's message, "Middle School Students" on 08:17:10 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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Replies:

[> 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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