Black female teacher in blue dress at white board with two students doing math

3 Things You Need to Know About Student-Teaching Middle School

Middle schoolers are in a period of transition, which can make being a student teacher an interesting experience. Here's an idea of what to expect.

It’s hard to imagine a more transitional phase of a child’s education than middle school. No longer in the sheltered embrace of the elementary classroom, but before entering the big, bad high school. Oh, and no more recess, which might be the ultimate tragedy. When student-teaching in middle school, you have a unique opportunity to guide your students through this time. This also means it can be an especially demanding role, but you might find you get as much out of the experience—if not more—than you put in.

1. Middle schoolers are as afraid as you are

If you remember being 13 years old, then it's unlikely that you would ever want to be 13 again. And if you don’t remember your time as a young teen, let me remind you: You were probably awkward, gangly, and pubescent, with emerging responsibilities and limited freedom. You're entering a new school full of exciting potential—and it’s downright horrifying. How do you use the lock on your locker? Where is third-period history? How do you find X in Algebra, and why would you want to?

As anxious as you might be as a student-teacher, remember you couldn't be any more frightened than your fresh crop of students. If you're worried about your first day of teaching outfit, they're more concerned about the way they look. If you think you might lose your way to the bathroom, they've been up all night studying the map of the school. But all this fear is okay; in fact, it will bond you tightly together. As you show up and teach each day, you'll learn that it's okay to be scared of talking in front of your class, to be worried about knowing the material you’re teaching, and to be nervous about how to handle classroom conflicts. And as you learn to deal with and shake off your fear, you can assist your students with the same. Much of their acting out will stem from a place of fear—fear over where they fit in socially, if they can trust you, or their competence in class. Help your shy students blossom by boosting their confidence, provide structure for your boisterous students, and offer the comfort of boundaries for students who like to test limits.

Related: 7 Valuable Things I Learned When Student Teaching

2. Middle school is a time of possibility, change, and development—for you too

For me, teaching in middle school was a big change from my college courses. Until then, I had spent my time taking notes, reading textbooks, and writing essays. I was rarely expected to engage in public speaking, and even courses on classroom management were grounded in theory. Stepping into the classroom was a completely new world. But I quickly recognized the opportunity it was to grow my skills in teaching and sharing all the facts I had just spent the past four years shoving into my brain.

Middle schoolers are used to the world of elementary school, with recess and snack time and teachers who mistakenly get called “mom” because they're safe and gentle. Middle school is the transition from childhood to the young adult years and preparation for the pressures of high school. You get to be the tour guide as they explore their identities, personalities, dreams, and goals for the future. It's an exciting stage of intellectual, emotional, and social development, characterized by an increased level of empathy for others and engagement in critical thinking. The contents of your lessons can engage these new intellectual developments too! You can teach more complex math problems, study books that explore abstract concepts, get more in-depth with the scientific method (especially when it comes to making and testing hypotheses), and pick out the patterns of cause and effect in historical events.

3. Middle schoolers desperately need mentors

Middle school gets a bad reputation. When I first told people that my student-teaching semester was going to be spent in a small city, at an overcrowded middle school with youth who came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, people politely wished me luck. And not-so-politely questioned my sanity. But not only can I confidently say that my student-teaching experience in middle school is not full of horror stories—I know it actually offered wonderful chances for connections with students.

It's often said that youth need at least one adult role model or mentor in their life to achieve their goals, like graduating high school or college, successfully. You can be that mentor to students in your classroom. As middle schoolers begin the process of breaking away from their parents and claiming their autonomy, they need positive adult influences in their lives outside of their immediate family. They aren't yet emotionally, socially, or physically able to handle adulthood, but this is when they start trying. While parents and some of the other older teachers are uncool, you're younger and more familiar with the grind of classes. You can connect better with students while serving as an example of what they can achieve.

Related: What Is Being a Teacher Really Like?

As a mentor to your students, you have a lot to offer. You can provide guidance and show how discipline in the classroom can lead to self-discipline and future success. Demonstrate courteous and respectful behavior to your students through your actions, and remember to give them a break. Teaching middle school as a young adult, but you remember how much harder being in middle school is. Give your students chances to thrive and be there to support them when they need it!

Not sure middle school is the grade you want to teach? Check out our blog How to Choose the Grade and Subject You Want to Teach to help you make a final decision. 

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Gwen Matthews

Gwen Matthews is a freelance writer contributing to CollegeXpress.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Malone University

Canton, OH


Sadie Hartmann

Sadie Hartmann

High School Class of 2021

I'm a senior in high school, and CollegeXpress has helped me in so many ways this year in trying to navigate the process of deciding and committing to a university. The COVID-19 Student Resource Center has helped me many times with the most up-to-date and accurate information, along with financial aid and student life [advice]. During these uncertain times, CollegeXpress has been a great recourse to relieve the stress as a senior. Along with the COVID-19 Student Resource Center, I'm constantly using the extremely helpful tools off the site to aid me during this stressful process. Tools like the lists and rankings of universities have been the most beneficial. I've also used the site to receive expert advice on topics like financial aid. Finally, CollegeXpress has helped me easily apply for several scholarships. I'm thankful to be given the chance to win a scholarship to lessen the burden of my college debt.

Khush

Khush

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress is a multi-maneuver platform that has been helping students in their college applications and scholarship hunt process. For me, CollegeXpress has been a boon. I've been able to find my dream university via CX, and I've also been able to apply to thousands of scholarships through it. All the thanks to CollegeXpress for doing such a great job for free. I express my sincere gratitude to you for doing such a wonderful job. I recommend CollegeXpress without any reservations.

Kayla

Kayla

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me organize the schools I wanted to choose from in one place, which I could then easily compare and find the school that was right for me!

Hannah Nelsen

Hannah Nelsen

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me look at colleges that fit my interests by taking my profile and matching it to colleges that have the programs I'm looking for. It has the ability to connect me to colleges so I can be contacted by them and look at them more in-depth to find what's right for me. Additionally, the scholarship database is super beneficial for getting scholarships for college. Not only does it help lift the financial burden of college but it shows all the opportunities available. Overall, CollegeXpress has been very helpful to me.

Chris Bell

Chris Bell

Bell College Consulting

The college lists on CollegeXpress are indispensable for sussing out creative additions to a student’s list, and the college-specific pages provide terrific commentary and suggestions for related schools. CollegeXpress is among the most trusted sources I use for information for my students.