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Middle School Teachers Chatboard

I am going to be a middle school teacher!

by Jennifer

Jul 8, 2013

I am currently getting my degree for middle school education and I start my fieldwork in August of 2013. Does anyone have any advice for me? Anything to help me along would be greatly appreciated. I'm a little nervous. :)

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Sara On 7/08/13, Jennifer wrote:

A sense of humor is helpful as are also patience and flexibility. Every school is different but I'd say don't be afraid to be human - people respond to people. Never give homework on weekends or holidays if you give homework at all.

Remember that respect is earned - bend over backwards to be fair, do...See More

Jul 9, 2013

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Debbie On 7/09/13, Sara wrote: > On 7/08/13, Jennifer wrote: > > A sense of humor is helpful as are also patience and > flexibility. Every school is different but I'd say don't be > afraid to be human - people respond to people. Never give > homework on weekends or holidays if you give homework at all. > > Remember that respect is...See More

Jul 12, 2013

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Sra. D After some years of teaching on the high school and elementary levels, 13 years ago, I started teaching on the middle school level. Initially, I hated it. However, I think, in my situation the fact that they had a sub for the year before me was a big part of the problem. This is what I have learned about teaching middle school:

a. Watch ou...See More

Jul 13, 2013

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Bill T (now retired) First, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but...See MoreFirst, congratulations! You are about to embark upon an adventure unlike anything you have ever done. That isn't meant to frighten you. Adventures can be great things.

I just retired from the classroom after 31 years, most of it in the middle school classroom. I spent a few years at the elementary level and found 5th grade to be okay, but my stints in 3rd and 4th grade were unqualified catastrophes - it takes a special person to deal with that all day long, just as it takes a person with special skills to deal with middle schoolers.

But enough about me...

*** don't, I say again, DON'T listen to the naysayers, the ones who tell you "horror stories" about the things these "hormonal" miscreants do. I won't tell you that you won't have challenges. You already know that, but "war" stories are usually exaggerated to enhance the reputation and credibility of the authors.

*** as someone has already suggested, develop a decent sense of humor. A caution here. That doesn't mean act "silly" as the students sometimes do. The key, here, is to not take every word, every action as a personal affront.

*** No disrespect intended to other posters, but don't place too much in the words of published "experts," like Kohn and Wong. Sure, they're published authors, big names in the education world, but such have not been in a middle school classroom since Jesus was in swaddling clothes. Education has morphed in a big way in the past few years. Oftentimes, these "experts" are writing for situations that no longer apply.

*** hopefully they will appoint you a "mentor," teacher to help see you through your early years, but another caution....sometimes those mentors fall into the same category as the "experts" I mentioned above. I say sometimes. That is not usually the case, but just be cautious.

*** consistency and flexibility have already been mentioned. Without both, you won't do well in middle school

*** stay out of the "teachers lounge" It can be a den of inequity and frequently a site for massive pity parties. you're there for the kids, not for the politics and the drama

*** the kids will know, almost immediately, if you like and want to be with them. There's no fooling them. By this I do NOT advocate you being their "friend." Others have already told you that and they are correct. But neither should you be their adversary. You don't need to be in order to gain their respect. Indeed, being abrasive and overbearing is a very good way to gain their enmity. Respect IS earned, as has already been said.

Jul 20, 2013

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Beth Special Needs I have not taught middle school in a LONG time and I am sure much has changed, but one thing I remember as important is to listen well. They have a strong sense of justice and want to heard. I also remember getting parents involved is much harder at this level than it is in elementary school, but every bit as important. Anything you can do toward t...See More

Aug 17, 2013

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