I find it very interesting that I am taking a course in educating young adolescents at the middle level. Six years ago, when I was starting my undergrad degree in Elementary Education, I visualized my ideal future classroom. That classroom held 20 third graders all eager to learn. Throughout the four years of my undergrad education, I told myself (and others that asked) that I would NEVER, ever, teach middle school students. I could remember my time in middle school and how much my classmates gave the teachers a hard time. I never wanted to be that teacher. I had a negative view of young adolescents and their 'need for attention' in whatever way they could get it. I wanted to be an elementary teacher, where the students still loved their teacher and respected them. I never thought I could get middle school students to respect me.
My first teaching position was as a French teacher in a middle school (grades 5-8). I was responsible for teaching the 5th and 6th grade French. When I took the position, I still had in the back of my mind that it would only be for a couple years, until I could find a 'better' position in the lower grades. The following year, which was this past year, I took a job at the same school as a 6th grade classroom teacher. Again, at the beginning of the year, I was still thinking it wasn't going to be a permanent position. Now, having finished that year, I LOVE my job. I have come to appreciate this age group. I am able to have fun with them, joke around, and still they respect me as an adult in their life. They can be very creative and keep me on my toes with the questions they ask. I truly enjoy the challenge that I once thought I could not handle.
I now believe that my calling is to teach at the middle level. I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Frequently, in passing, people outside of the school make comments such as "I can't believe you teach at the middle school! How do you do it?" or "I would never be able to teach middle school students!". In reply I tell them, "I never thought I would teach at the middle level, but now that I do I love it. It truly isn't as bad as most people think!"
Does anyone else get these comments from people? If so, how do you handle it?
-Sarah
