I recently read an article in the National Middle School Association’s journal titled “Listening to the Voices of Young Adolescents.” This article summarized the comments of 2,700 middle school students who responded to the question “What should middle school teachers know about middle school students?”
A few points resonated with me as I think about our middle school program here at St. Raphael. The first desire of middle school students is to have healthy and rewarding relationships with their teachers and peers. They want these relationships based on compassion, respect, personalization, fellowship and friendship. They desire to have positive relationships with teachers who are helpful, kind, happy, encouraging, patient, respectful and non-judgmental.
One student was quoted in the article. “I feel teachers don’t really get to know the real you. They spend all their time telling you what to expect that they don’t even take time to know your personality. …Most teachers seem as though they don’t care a thing about if you do well in school. They teach you the information you need to know then if you have questions they say look over your notes and you’ll find the answer. Obviously I looked over my notes already and I still don’t know so in that way they are no help.”
The experiences of the students at St. Raphael do not match the quoted student. Our middle school teachers work closely with the students for two or three years and really get to know them. They know the strengths, weaknesses, and personalities of each one. I see the students spend lunchtime and study hall getting help from the teachers. Additionally I know that the teachers check in with each student to make sure he/she understand the content and can successfully complete all tasks. The end result of this hard work and dedication is our graduates are well prepared for their future. Many graduates continue visiting the teachers throughout their high school years to inform them of their successes and seek advice as needed.
Another student was quoted. “It might be nice for them to know that we are living human beings, we have feelings and we are people. Sometimes teachers think of you just as a student not a person, so they push you over your limits … We are not perfect. We can’t do everything perfectly the first time. If teachers understand this, it might make us feel more comfortable and we might do better in school.”
One great quality of our close group of teachers and students is they work together to support each other. If a teacher needs help with a computer he/she does not hesitate to ask a student for assistance. I have been a part of a group of students and teachers laughing together at a mistake or a misconception. These positive relationships demonstrate how much we do see each other as humans and not just teachers and students.
Middle school years bring about a change in how young adolescents relate to other people in their lives. Through out these years they still desire positive experiences and need structure and predictability to navigate through these years.
As we approach registration for the 2008-09 school year, remember all we offer the young adolescent. There is value in consistency that will help your child be successful in his/her preparation for the future.
