Ends & Beginnings
It’s been a short while, and I’m disappointed to say that I couldn’t stick it out for even the first year.
But I needed to do this.
With a lot of support and encouragement from family and friends, I had to throw in the towel. I’ve grown a lot in my classroom management, and even in how quickly I got to know my students.
And in the midst of all of this, I’ve been thinking a lot about ends and beginnings. This may be the end of my time here, but it may be the beginning of an even better version of myself.
It makes me think that perhaps there aren’t ends and beginnings, but just continuous iterations of a person, a character, an identity.
This is it for me, as short as this experience was, it was dense! Here’s a small summary of the things Ms. Do has learned:
I’ve learned every single student of my 148 students by name.
I’ve learned that putting a middle schooler in front of a computer with swivel chairs was and never will be a good idea for retaining attention.
I’ve learned that setting the mood at the beginning of class is critical.
I’ve learned that the students can form habits relatively easily. For example, as a way to set the tone and authority I need in a class of 20 students, I have them line up outside of class and wait for my permission to enter. They know the drill now.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers love problem solving, as much as adults do.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers will self select if a problem is too difficult for them.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers need to be reminded over and over again to put their names on their assignments, put their worksheets in their folders, keep their feet off the tables, and to be respectful of each other.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers are smart enough to know when they’re being disrespectful or non-collaborative.
I’ve learned that there are ways for them to keep each other in check during class.
I’ve learned that managing middle school behavior is like a game--good behavior needs to be rewarded and poor behavior needs to be reprimanded.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers need at least 5 minutes at the end of each class to remind them to save their work, log out of their computers, replace their headsets, and push their chairs in.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers also need to be dismissed in groups, not as a whole class.
I’ve learned that middle schoolers like being right, and are afraid or unable to handle being wrong.
I’ve learned that middle school parents just want their children to love school first, and to do well in school second.
I’ve learned that middle school students are still learning study skills.
I’ve learned that middle school teachers just want their students to be good people first, and to do well in school second.
I’m sure there’s more. That’s all I have for now.
Perhaps I’ll pick up teaching again in the future... But I will have to end it here.
Goodbye and thanks for reading!
