Middle School Students...A unique and challenging age
I taught middle school science classes for one year, as I was completing doctoral classes at the University of Georgia. I worked hard to stay ahead of them and on top of their challenges. Never a dull moment.
I also had two middle school children of my own, a daughter and a son. When they hit middle school, hormones were raging, feelings were running full tilt, and we rode the waves of emotions together.
Two recent events brought my mind back to those experiences.
First, the video of the bus monitor driven to tears from the taunts of middle school students about her weight and age. The video caused numerous donors to send her over $640,000 to retire.Second, middle school students visiting the 9-11 Memorial recently threw drinks, cups, and trash into the reflecting pool and said they were just "bored."
Both incidents show a failure on the part of parents, teachers, administrators, and society. Of course, the young people share in this blame but they must have strong behavioral foundations and examples to learn from and follow.
We are losing civility in every part of our society due to the lack of strong parenting and support by teachers and administrators. Middle school students are not inherently bad....energetic, often rude, managed by hormones...but most can be caring individuals when inspired by strong exemplars.
When parents and teachers focus on their true responsibilities, most middle school children can survive those years and grow to be good adults. Otherwise, they are devils in disguise!
