Awkwardness. Changing friends. Changing everything. Braces. Smells. School dances. Drama. Lockers. Notes. Texting. Crisis.
These years are some of the toughest for most people. Everyone has an awkward story to tell... a story of feeling left out, stupid, or ugly.
My middle school years were not as traumatizing as they were for most people. I had a solid group of friends, supportive parents, and a strong support system. Middle school was uncomfortable, yes, but horrific, no.
I vividly remember 6th grade. I remember the crisis of a no-name paper, of misbehaving for a substitute, and the chaos of 6th grade camp. I remember learning about Charlemagne, dangling modifiers, and how to fiddle.
6th grade doesn't seem so long ago... and I will be teaching it starting in January. I don't feel like I have any additional knowledge to give these kids. I see so much of myself in them: the uncertainty, the questioning, the possibilities, but also the frustration and the boredom of day after day of meaningless school not tied to real life.
I have always thought of myself as a 2nd grade teacher. I love the age where students can think for themselves, wipe their own noses, and put on their own snow pants, while still being quick to trust and give their love.
The past few weeks, however, I have been spending some time in the middle school classroom. After spending weeks in 6th grade, 7th grade seems so much less intimidating than I once thought it to be. In fact, I love it.
When I originally added my middle school endorsement to my major I was doing it primarily for selfish reasons. I thought it would look good and give me valuable experience. However, in the process of fulfilling the requirements, I have completely fallen in love with teaching middle schoolers.
Most people shudder at the thought; I used to. But more and more I'm realizing, they are amazing people. Not the people they will become... but who they are right now. I love that they are still kids, but they're beginning to discover who they are. They love humor and they make me laugh every day. Their compassion, goals, and excitement motivate me as I get to engage with them throughout my lessons.
They don't give their trust so easily; they don't respect automatically.
But if their trust is won, if their respect is won... they will listen. They will love.
Today my teacher's heart soared when I heard 7th graders deep in discussion about similes, arguing about metaphors, and making up their own to talk about their experiences.
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