Submitted by Maida (not verified) on April 26, 2006 - 21:16.
This is a wonderful concept, and I know it can be done. For 5 years I've worked at a middle school that focuses equally on social/emotional development and academic preparation. My goal, as Head Teacher, is to help each one of my students discover the adult they wish to become and for them to leave middle school with a well developed sense of self. People often ask me what I teach, which technically is science and math, but my answer always is that I teach life. The middle school years are the crucial years to accomplish this incredibly difficult task. It does take an incredible amount of commitment from facutly, administration and parents. It takes teachers going to horse shows, hockey games, football games, dance recitals, choir concerts and everything other extra curricular thing you can think of. Essentially, students need to know that there is an adult (other than their parents) that truly cares and is dedicated to their well being and development. This also obviously works best when their is a low student to teacher ratio as then teachers can get to know each student at a personal level. Without that strong personal relationship and knowledge, it is very difficult to succeed in this task.
This is a wonderful concept,
Submitted by Maida (not verified) on April 26, 2006 - 21:16.
This is a wonderful concept, and I know it can be done. For 5 years I've worked at a middle school that focuses equally on social/emotional development and academic preparation. My goal, as Head Teacher, is to help each one of my students discover the adult they wish to become and for them to leave middle school with a well developed sense of self. People often ask me what I teach, which technically is science and math, but my answer always is that I teach life. The middle school years are the crucial years to accomplish this incredibly difficult task. It does take an incredible amount of commitment from facutly, administration and parents. It takes teachers going to horse shows, hockey games, football games, dance recitals, choir concerts and everything other extra curricular thing you can think of. Essentially, students need to know that there is an adult (other than their parents) that truly cares and is dedicated to their well being and development. This also obviously works best when their is a low student to teacher ratio as then teachers can get to know each student at a personal level. Without that strong personal relationship and knowledge, it is very difficult to succeed in this task.