Comments on: Why do I get that look when I say I want to teach middle school? http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/ Blocked Drain Clearance Articles Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:19:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: DaisyU http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-129 DaisyU Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:53:45 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-129 I know exactly the look you mean, I taught special ed at the middle school level for several years (I'm now teaching at the Jr. High level) and I loved the challenges of the middle school kiddos. Yes, they are hormones with legs and have impulse control problems and everything is me, me, me, but it's such a wonderful age to teach. People would look at me weird when they asked what I taught, but I think it just inspired me to keep at it. I know exactly the look you mean, I taught special ed at the middle school level for several years (I’m now teaching at the Jr. High level) and I loved the challenges of the middle school kiddos. Yes, they are hormones with legs and have impulse control problems and everything is me, me, me, but it’s such a wonderful age to teach. People would look at me weird when they asked what I taught, but I think it just inspired me to keep at it.

]]> By: Jermaine Farrow http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Jermaine Farrow Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:42:08 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-128 Um ya- I'm a middle schooler, and I may have raging hormones, and the reason that u probably get that look is b/c they might not like u. B/C mine and my friends teachers, think that it's all hormones, and that my b most of the reason, but the other reason is them, we just don't like um sometimes. It's never 100% hoemones-NEVER. Theres always a reason, they dont attack u b/c the wind is blowing, they get @ u b/c of something u did or said,maybe they over react, but it's for a reason. Um ya- I’m a middle schooler, and I may have raging hormones, and the reason that u probably get that look is b/c
they might not like u. B/C mine and my friends teachers, think that it’s all hormones, and that my b most of the reason, but the other reason is them, we just don’t like um sometimes. It’s never 100% hoemones-NEVER. Theres always a reason, they dont attack u b/c the wind is blowing, they get @ u b/c of something u did or said,maybe they over react, but it’s for a reason.

]]> By: Allyson Whitcombe http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Allyson Whitcombe Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:48:07 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-127 It takes a special person to teach middle school. There is nothing wrong with teaching middle school if you have the feelings that you have expressed here. My sister teaches kindergarten. There is no way I could teach that age. Nor could I teach 6th, 7th, or 8th grade mainly for the reasons you enjoy teaching them. I taught mostly 9th graders for 35 years. Many of my colleagues could not imagine teaching 14-15 year olds, but I enjoyed them. It takes a special person to teach middle school. There is nothing wrong with teaching middle school if you have the feelings that you have expressed here.
My sister teaches kindergarten. There is no way I could teach that age. Nor could I teach 6th, 7th, or 8th grade mainly for the reasons you enjoy teaching them.
I taught mostly 9th graders for 35 years. Many of my colleagues could not imagine teaching 14-15 year olds, but I enjoyed them.

]]> By: Colby Hopkinson http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Colby Hopkinson Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:56:02 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-126 Some of the answers you got are really funny...and unfortunately somewhat true. ;) I have been teaching middle school for 10 years now and every time I tell someone I teach 8th graders they just say, you poor thing...lol. I enjoy it though. The kids are at an awkward age...which can be good and bad. There are days I ask myself WHY am I here???? (because some days can be a MAJOR challenge), but then something great happens and I say This is why I am here! If you want to teach this age, I say go for it! Your experience is what you make it...it can be good, it can be bad. Best of luck to you! Some of the answers you got are really funny…and unfortunately somewhat true. ;) I have been teaching middle school for 10 years now and every time I tell someone I teach 8th graders they just say, you poor thing…lol. I enjoy it though. The kids are at an awkward age…which can be good and bad. There are days I ask myself WHY am I here???? (because some days can be a MAJOR challenge), but then something great happens and I say This is why I am here! If you want to teach this age, I say go for it! Your experience is what you make it…it can be good, it can be bad. Best of luck to you!

]]> By: Ali Davies http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Ali Davies Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:52:32 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-125 Because you're insane. The part of the brain responsible for decision-making isn't developed yet, so you are literally working with young people with retarded brain growth. You won't believe what they're capable of doing and you are responsible for remaining professional amidst students and parents who are insulting, difficult, argumentative, and creators' of their own realities. You can't have an off-day and I'd arguing that maybe staying on your toes is fun for awhile, but remember that this isn't babysitting occasionally- it's a career and job you have to show up to everyday whether you feel physically sick or mentally sick. And it is incredibly less satisfying as the numbers increase. My class of 16 is a good size, but my class of 30 wears me down. Ever heard of the phrase putting out fires everywhere? It means that when have to tell Susie to throw out the note she's writing, Charlie's bullying Tom, Alex is ripping his paper apart and Cindy wants to go to the nurse's office for an ant bite. Oh and there's a new student today (who by the looks of it was probably asked to leave his last school). If you have good colleagues and a good administration, teaching middle school might be worth a shot. Just know that you'll regret it at least once. Because you’re insane.

The part of the brain responsible for decision-making isn’t developed yet, so you are literally working with young people with retarded brain growth. You won’t believe what they’re capable of doing and you are responsible for remaining professional amidst students and parents who are insulting, difficult, argumentative, and creators’ of their own realities. You can’t have an off-day and I’d arguing that maybe staying on your toes is fun for awhile, but remember that this isn’t babysitting occasionally- it’s a career and job you have to show up to everyday whether you feel physically sick or mentally sick.

And it is incredibly less satisfying as the numbers increase. My class of 16 is a good size, but my class of 30 wears me down. Ever heard of the phrase putting out fires everywhere? It means that when have to tell Susie to throw out the note she’s writing, Charlie’s bullying Tom, Alex is ripping his paper apart and Cindy wants to go to the nurse’s office for an ant bite. Oh and there’s a new student today (who by the looks of it was probably asked to leave his last school).

If you have good colleagues and a good administration, teaching middle school might be worth a shot. Just know that you’ll regret it at least once.

]]> By: Aracely Marks http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Aracely Marks Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:01:00 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-124 I'm a middle schooler and I really like some of my teachers. Somebody has to teach middle schoolers, if you enjoy it, teach no matter what other people think. If they think you're nuts for teaching middle school, its because they can't handle it themselves. I’m a middle schooler and I really like some of my teachers. Somebody has to teach middle schoolers, if you enjoy it, teach no matter what other people think. If they think you’re nuts for teaching middle school, its because they can’t handle it themselves.

]]> By: Alana174 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Alana174 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:14:19 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-123 I teach 5th grade and they are starting to get some of the hormone issues- esp. the girls- that does not match their maturity levels. I respect you so much- and believe it is really a personal preference. I know many teachers who would NEVER teach elementary age- and others who would NEVER teach anything but elementary age students. My only question is where can I get a job with only 15 students? lol You said it best that you get that age group and have fun. So forget the look- and remember you have a career you enjoy! Oh, I do believe with more students, it does present less satisfaction. There can be more behavior issues and you don't seem to get to know each child as an individual. In 5th grade I have 2 groups with 25 in each group. I teach 5th grade and they are starting to get some of the hormone issues- esp. the girls- that does not match their maturity levels. I respect you so much- and believe it is really a personal preference. I know many teachers who would NEVER teach elementary age- and others who would NEVER teach anything but elementary age students.
My only question is where can I get a job with only 15 students? lol
You said it best that you get that age group and have fun. So forget the look- and remember you have a career you enjoy!
Oh, I do believe with more students, it does present less satisfaction. There can be more behavior issues and you don’t seem to get to know each child as an individual. In 5th grade I have 2 groups with 25 in each group.

]]> By: Amina Bainbridge http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Amina Bainbridge Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:49:06 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-122 Because in middle school that's supposed to be some of the hardest years to teach. They are still kids, but they aren't little kids and they aren't quite in HS yet, they are just getting into who they really are and all of that. I got it too, and I went through and became a teacher. I work with high school students now, but I still prefer the middle school grades. And people probably gives you those looks because they couldn't do it and you have the will and the patience to make it with that level. Don't give that up. Because in middle school that’s supposed to be some of the hardest years to teach. They are still kids, but they aren’t little kids and they aren’t quite in HS yet, they are just getting into who they really are and all of that.

I got it too, and I went through and became a teacher. I work with high school students now, but I still prefer the middle school grades.

And people probably gives you those looks because they couldn’t do it and you have the will and the patience to make it with that level.

Don’t give that up.

]]> By: Kameron Upton http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Kameron Upton Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:05:55 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-121 Don't worry about what other people think. Do what makes you happy. If you enjoy middle school students then that's exactly who you should teach. Unfortunately, too many teachers don't enjoy them and the kids know it. I think it's great, and the students will too. Good for you. Don’t worry about what other people think. Do what makes you happy. If you enjoy middle school students then that’s exactly who you should teach. Unfortunately, too many teachers don’t enjoy them and the kids know it. I think it’s great, and the students will too. Good for you.

]]> By: Grayson 22 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Grayson 22 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:27:45 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/why-do-i-get-that-look-when-i-say-i-want-to-teach-middle-school/#comment-120 Maybe, Because they had bad times in middle school. It is a horrible time. Maybe, Because they had bad times in middle school. It is a horrible time.

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