The following reactions are all reactions I've received in response to one statement.
"Wow! That's a lot ..." "Yikes!"
"Oof, that's rough."
laughter "I'll pray for you."
"Why?!"
"Was that your ... first choice?" "That sounds miserable!"
I bet you're wondering right about now what on earth I said to elicit such strong reactions. So here it is.
I said, "I'm a middle school teacher."
That's it. Now, I don't walk around town, stop at every street corner, and shout, "I'm a middle school teacher" to anyone who will listen. I only ever say it to people I've just met in response to the question, "What do you do for a living?" But isn't that wild?!
I've never reacted to someone sharing their occupation with me in such a way, but I'm on the receiving end of such reactions often. And I know all teachers hear negative comments about their occupation, not just middle school teachers! I've heard many stories from fellow teachers. The thing is though - and this may seem strange - it doesn't upset me.
Sure, sometimes the negative comments about education and the questions about why I continue to work in education rub me the wrong way and I wish it were different, but I don't actually get angry about any of it. The reason I don't get angry or upset is I know that their reaction is a product of a hard truth mixed with a general misunderstanding. The Hard Truth
Guys, I'm not going to dance around it. I'm just going to say it. Puberty is rough, and sixth grade is when it tends to start for most kids these days. Specifically, I've noticed it really kicking into high gear around Christmas each year for my sixth graders. How do I know? The sudden and frequent switch from laughter to tears and back to laughter in the span of two point five seconds.
The abrupt, cutting comment from a typically gentle and sweet child.
The forgetfulness.
The clumsiness.
Looking around my classroom and seeing that the coats that fit (the boys especially) in November are all looking a little too short and snug by January.
The Misunderstanding
When others hear that I teach middle school, their brains immediately jump to images of extremely emotional tweens battling puberty and a classroom full of challenges as a result. What most don't understand is that while yes, puberty is a factor for students at this age, it isn't something that has turned them into complete monsters. It presents unique challenges sometimes, but it doesn't define our classroom or their age group as a whole.
So, what does define our classroom? I'm so glad you wondered and silently asked your screen! :)
The Wonderfully Weird
Middle school is SO WEIRD, and before you come at me, please know that I'm using the word weird with 100% love.
To truly know me is to know that I love weird. It's like I was made for teaching middle school.
I love quirky!
I love awkwardness!
I love the unexpected!
I love random thoughts expressed out loud!
I love seeing senses of humor developing and comedic timing being tested and refined!
Middle schoolers excel at all of the above! It's a winning combination. Guys, middle schoolers are WEIRD, and it's a beautiful thing. The wonderfully weird is something to be celebrated and embraced. It makes life interesting and fun. Middle schoolers always make life more interesting and fun!
So, Always Remember This
If you're a middle school teacher who has also been on the receiving end of comments like "Was teaching middle school your ... first choice?" please know this. Whether they say it out loud or not, your students love you and are grateful that you've chosen to teach them. Their parents, even though they may joke about it being rough, are thankful for you too. They're raising tweens and sometimes they just need to laugh with someone about the struggles so they don't cry, because there are struggles mixed in with the joy. And when the rare person says something to you that is genuinely hurtful about your job being terrible or miserable, just remember that they don't get it because it isn't their calling. As a result, they're just missing out on all of the wonderful that comes with the job. But that's okay because you get to be there to scoop all of those wonderful moments up and cherish them.
I wouldn't change a thing, and if you've read this post all the way through, I have a strong feeling you wouldn't either. P.S. You can find more middle school teacher joy here: Classroom Memories of a Sentimental Teacher!
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