By Beth Steklac, Littleton MYP Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Myth #1: You have to be a saint to work with a middle schooler! False, it can truly be heaven on earth. Short of the transition from baby to toddler, there is no more rewarding time to be part of a child’s growth journey than the middle school years. Contrary to the Terrible Two’s, the Terrific ‘Tweens can talk, reason and question (and tie their own shoes)! The middle years are a reflection of the child that was and a window to the adult that will be. These are challenging times, for the child and for the adults in their lives. But the joy is in the challenge.
Middle school students have a foot in two worlds and an identity in neither. One moment they are challenging each other to see who can swing the highest, the next they are brainstorming better ways to solve world hunger. For the gifted middle schooler, these two worlds can be even more frustrating to navigate. Their sensitivities to the injustices in the world and their developing craving for social belonging can often be seen as conflicting interests. No wonder many turn to fantasy world computer games where once again they are in control. Yet it is this very conflict that provides the foundation for the emergence of self. As teachers helping students tackle these challenges, we are reminded daily of what is truly important in our world. The successful navigation of the confusing and conflicted middle years results in tomorrow’s leaders, decision makers, and problem solvers. It is an enormous responsibility for teachers and parents but what greater way can we help shape our future.
It is a privilege to be involved in the life of a middle school student. Their curiosity is contagious and their idealism refreshing. They are old enough to ask good questions and young enough to believe that there are answers to every question if you look hard enough. Their continued quest for knowledge in the midst of social angst is admirable. Whether it is seeing a student solve the math problem that was unsolvable yesterday, discover that planning a city actually takes a lot of work, experience the consequences of forgetting a textbook at school or notice that the boy across the room is suddenly a little more handsome; watching a young person cross the bridge from childhood to adolescence is the most enjoyable thing I can imagine.