Good middle school teachers: • never use sarcasm and are completely transparent about their intentions. A middle school teacher should definitely use humor to appeal to students, but never sarcasm. • never give up on a student, no matter how many mistakes he or she has made. • make the classroom a physically active space and use physical action in their lesson plans—like role-playing, mock trials and debates. • don’t skimp on recess! Middle school students’ growing bodies still need lots of physical activity, especially the boys. • make all academic lessons somehow circle back to the students—their own forming identities, their daily lives. • are always honest. • always use kindness and let their students know that they are not alone. • find a way to like ALL students. Even if you have a hard time with a student, find at least one thing about him or her that you enjoy and admire. —Liz Gray, Grade 6 Social Studies
Good middle school teachers: • design good questions, and continually assess the work they do with students both in and out of the classroom. • listen to children’s ideas. Students meet with more success when they are owners in their learning. • are facilitators in a student-centered classroom. When students are provided an opportunity to take risks and integrate their ideas into the daily lessons, the passion for learning skyrockets. • serve as mentors and role models for students. They are excited about learning and model that to students. • are also lifelong learners striving to be the best that they can be each day. They have a passion for learning, staying abreast of the latest technological trends, discoveries in their subject area, and advances in research about student learning. • are willing to grow. — Sue Austin, Grade 7 Science, Grade 7 Dean and K–8 Science Lead
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