Words of Wisdom from the girl, Michelle Krueger, who thought she wouldn't make it out alive!
If I had a list of times in my life that I would least like to revisit, Middle School would likely be near the top. Equipped with a shy, quiet attitude and too-short jeans, my 12-year
old self was struggling to figure out how she fit into a world where sitting at the “cool” lunch table was the highest imaginable honor. Ten years later, I find myself on the other side of the desk, watching students go through the same sort of identity crisis that I faced. And I am learning that I might be able to help.
SET LIMITS
It is amazing how little middle school students know about boundaries and limits. Be prepared, because they WILL
test you!
Be clear from the beginning of the year that, although
you enjoy having fun and joking around, certain behaviors, comments, and choice words are not ever appropriate.
Even after this blanket statement, they will push the boundaries. Many of them do this not to be a nuisance,
but because they are just learning what boundaries are. Oftentimes it is obvious that they speak without even thinking. Also, school might be the only place where some students are given any real boundaries, so it is extremely important not to let them take advantage of you. Be consistent, especially in the little things! And even when
they try to butter you up.
Scenario: In my class, students only get to choose their seats on Fridays. Monday-Thursday, they have a seating chart. It’s the day before Thanksgiving break. Students only have one day of class this week.
Student: “Miss Krueger, I really like your hair today. It looks soooo good! So…tomorrow is Thanksgiving Break so it’s aaalllllllmost like a Friday…can we choose our seats today?”
Incorrect response: “Oh, thanks, you’re so nice! Sure, that would be fine! Go for it!”
–Now you’ve done it. Be prepared for an unproductive, chatty class period and to hear a similar argument every single day for the rest of the year!
Correct response: “Hmmm…I checked my calendar this morning and it definitely said it was Monday today.
I’m thinking no dice. Makes real Fridays extra great, doesn’t it?”
DON'T SETTLE
“I’m done.”
These two words are the bane of my existence in art class.
Even if they groan and roll their eyes, your students will be much more pleased with the result of their work if you push them past what they believe their limit to be. Explain that the process of creating art can often be long and frustrating, but nothing worthwhile generally comes easily. So be picky. Tell them to add that miniscule highlight with their eraser, and that yes, it does make a difference.
BE SILLY
I have found that goofy, nerdy teachers are often the most effective for any age group.
When I think back to my school experiences, from grade school through college, the teachers that I remember liking the most were not the reserved type. Although this type of teacher may have taught me quite a bit about their subject matter, they did not really have much of an effect on me as a person and how I was developing into my own identity. The teachers that impacted me most were the ones who made me laugh; the ones who weren’t afraid to proclaim their love for Star Trek or Harry Potter; the ones that had a strange catchphrase; the ones who were truly excited about the subject that they taught. Teach your students that life extends far beyond the walls of their middle school, that the world is a big place, and that looking a little silly sometimes is A-Okay.
Even though middle school students might act like they are too-cool-for-school, they appreciate your nerdy humor. So, let it all out. Even if you have to dig down deep, I believe that every person has an inner dork that
is waiting to be unleashed.
MOST OF ALL, BE ENCOURAGED
I will leave you with this: You CAN do this! If I can go back to middle school and manage to survive and even enjoy myself, you can too. Find your teaching style and be confident…your students will adore you.
If I had a list of times in my life that I would least like to revisit, Middle School would likely be near the top. Equipped with a shy, quiet attitude and too-short jeans, my 12-year
old self was struggling to figure out how she fit into a world where sitting at the “cool” lunch table was the highest imaginable honor. Ten years later, I find myself on the other side of the desk, watching students go through the same sort of identity crisis that I faced. And I am learning that I might be able to help.
SET LIMITS
It is amazing how little middle school students know about boundaries and limits. Be prepared, because they WILL
test you!
Be clear from the beginning of the year that, although
you enjoy having fun and joking around, certain behaviors, comments, and choice words are not ever appropriate.
Even after this blanket statement, they will push the boundaries. Many of them do this not to be a nuisance,
but because they are just learning what boundaries are. Oftentimes it is obvious that they speak without even thinking. Also, school might be the only place where some students are given any real boundaries, so it is extremely important not to let them take advantage of you. Be consistent, especially in the little things! And even when
they try to butter you up.
Scenario: In my class, students only get to choose their seats on Fridays. Monday-Thursday, they have a seating chart. It’s the day before Thanksgiving break. Students only have one day of class this week.
Student: “Miss Krueger, I really like your hair today. It looks soooo good! So…tomorrow is Thanksgiving Break so it’s aaalllllllmost like a Friday…can we choose our seats today?”
Incorrect response: “Oh, thanks, you’re so nice! Sure, that would be fine! Go for it!”
–Now you’ve done it. Be prepared for an unproductive, chatty class period and to hear a similar argument every single day for the rest of the year!
Correct response: “Hmmm…I checked my calendar this morning and it definitely said it was Monday today.
I’m thinking no dice. Makes real Fridays extra great, doesn’t it?”
DON'T SETTLE
“I’m done.”
These two words are the bane of my existence in art class.
Even if they groan and roll their eyes, your students will be much more pleased with the result of their work if you push them past what they believe their limit to be. Explain that the process of creating art can often be long and frustrating, but nothing worthwhile generally comes easily. So be picky. Tell them to add that miniscule highlight with their eraser, and that yes, it does make a difference.
BE SILLY
I have found that goofy, nerdy teachers are often the most effective for any age group.
When I think back to my school experiences, from grade school through college, the teachers that I remember liking the most were not the reserved type. Although this type of teacher may have taught me quite a bit about their subject matter, they did not really have much of an effect on me as a person and how I was developing into my own identity. The teachers that impacted me most were the ones who made me laugh; the ones who weren’t afraid to proclaim their love for Star Trek or Harry Potter; the ones that had a strange catchphrase; the ones who were truly excited about the subject that they taught. Teach your students that life extends far beyond the walls of their middle school, that the world is a big place, and that looking a little silly sometimes is A-Okay.
Even though middle school students might act like they are too-cool-for-school, they appreciate your nerdy humor. So, let it all out. Even if you have to dig down deep, I believe that every person has an inner dork that
is waiting to be unleashed.
MOST OF ALL, BE ENCOURAGED
I will leave you with this: You CAN do this! If I can go back to middle school and manage to survive and even enjoy myself, you can too. Find your teaching style and be confident…your students will adore you.