Teaching middle school is not for the faint of heart. But if you're called to do it, you know there's nothing else quite like it. Join us in discussing what works - and what doesn't.
Welcome, Brave Middle School teachers! Introduce yourself...
Hey, all you brave tween teachers out there!
Welcome to the Edutopia discussion forum. Please introduce yourself a little before exploring our other discussions.
I am your moderator, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, middle school teacher by day and author/blogger at night. I was a California Regional Teacher of the Year in 2004, a Writing Project Fellow at the University of California at Irvine, and am a member of the Teacher Leaders Network. I'm a frequent contributor to Teacher Magazine and a staff blogger here at Edutopia. I also blog at www.tweenteacher.com. I currently teach 7th and 8th Grade Language Arts as well as 7th/8th Speech & Debate/Podcasting. Multiple-intelligences, differentiated instruction, Writer’s Workshop, student collaboration, student choice, and fluid grouping define much of my classroom instruction.
I look forward to talking about all of these topics and more here in the middle school forum. So please comment a little about who you are, what you're about as a teacher, and what brought you to Edutopia and our middle school forum.
For me, it's all about learning from each of you.
So challenge yourself to participate in the forum: comment, advise, criticize. Allow the Middle School forum here at Edutopia to be your brain spa of sorts. I look forward to meeting you all.
-Heather Wolpert-Gawron
Comments (156)
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Hiya
Hiya, every fellow teachers, I am your colleague, but far far away from you. :P I've been teaching English for almost 11 years and I really love my job. My students, they are so cute and lively that I love them very much~
I look forward to getting to know you all.
Still have that new teacher glow.
Glad to have stumbled upon this thread via Twitter! (I'm a fanatic!) I teach 6,7,8th grade English; currently Special Ed but I'm hoping to move to regular ed next year! Last year of grad school at Marshall U here, graduating in December!
I like to stay ahead of the curve and have great creative ideas for my classes. Hoping we'll have great conversations here!
-Katie
First year PROVISIONAL!
My world is upside down - it's sink or swim time!
Hello all
While I have a degree in elementary education, I have spent the last two decades working from home as a writer and raising our three sons. I am currently homeschooling our 7th grader and our 10th grader (our eldest is in college). We love the school in our area, but chose to homeschool this year so we could travel and help my in-laws with their health troubles. I am looking forward to your insights on teaching a middle school child and hope I can offer some helpful information as well.
Looking for a cool end of year PBL project
Hi. I have a group of rambunctious middle schooler who could really use a cool, fun, learning project to end the year. I'd like it to be problem based, but I'm low on creativity. I'm also in South Korea, so I don't have access to all the materials one might have in the States. I'd love some ideas.
What's up Ronni! I have been
What's up Ronni! I have been where you are. I teach Spanish level two and Technology Integration. I was provisional at one point. If you need any suggestions please let me know. I would be glad to help.
Hello everyone!
I have been teaching for 15 years now. When I first started teaching middle school I was able to keep up with the 13 year olds. Now, 15 years later, I am older and they are still 13 years old. I am losing my desire to teach with all the disciplined problems we face today. I need suggestions on classroom management, projects, and new suggestions on working smarter not harder. I teach Spanish and Technology.
Religion 6/7 and Middle School Learning Support
Hi,
I am a passionate about middle school. I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else. I am especially interested in social emotional learning, as I see the incredible impact it has on kids at this age level. While I am fairly savvy socially, I find it very difficult to feel like I am making any real difference for kids in this arena. There is progress, but the progress is so very slow.
Hello from Georgia!
Hello all! I am a third year teacher in a rural town in Georgia, and I cannot imagine teaching anyone but middle schoolers! My firs three years have been a roller coaster, for sure, but I am never bored. I had a horrible experience when I went through middle school, which inspired me to teach there and hopefully help them through some of the hard times. Little did I know how much harder they have gotten since I was there!
I am very excited about the next school year, as I will be one of only a few teachers to start a new STEM program in my county. I am open to any and all advice!
~Brenda
I have been teaching MS for
I have been teaching MS for 28 years, so that must make me one of the “crazies,” but I cannot imagine being happier than I am in my classroom teaching English to my 8th grade students. Heather, have just got your book and am half way through. I am sure we have met as I am after all also a Writing Project fellow through Irvine, although you and Liz probably know me better as Charlie. being new to the art of blogging I look forward to talking about MS with like-minded people. I just love these kids!