I Got Beef With Middle School

Summary

The author reflects on the challenges and nostalgia of working as a substitute teacher at middle schools, including their old one, and empathizes with the struggles of middle school students while recalling their own experiences.

Abstract

The author, a substitute teacher, shares their experiences working at various schools, including their old elementary and high schools, which they find enjoyable and nostalgic. However, working at the middle school, especially a new one in their hometown, brings mixed feelings of nostalgia and frustration. The author acknowledges the difficulty in managing expectations with the immaturity of middle school students, who are often self-centered and going through significant changes. They reminisce about their own middle school years, noting the pressure to grow up and the focus on social status. Despite the challenges, the author offers understanding and advice to current middle schoolers, suggesting they will one day look back and cringe at this phase of their lives.

Opinions

The author has fond memories of working at their old schools and reconnecting with former teachers.
There is a sense of frustration with middle school students who act entitled and immature.
The author admits to having had a similar attitude when they were a middle school student.
Middle school is seen as a time of significant change and pressure to mature quickly.
The author believes that middle schoolers today, like in the past, are overly concerned with appearing cool and fitting in.
Despite the challenges, the author empathizes with middle school students and recognizes this period as a fleeting, albeit difficult, phase of life.
The author suggests that middle schoolers should be more mindful of their behavior, particularly in terms of volume and experimentation with style and slang.
There is an expectation that middle schoolers will eventually be embarrassed by their behavior during these years.

Don’t Lie To Me, I know that it was your worst year too

I’ve been subbing around town and I’ve hit a lot of neat places. It’s been a blast working at my old elementary school and high school. I’ve been able to see all my old teachers and got to relive the good old days. Though I’ve discussed before how working at my old high school brought me old emotions to work through.

Yet, this week I was due to work at the middle school in my hometown. It’s a new middle school that was built right after I graduated high school. I’ll be honest it was nerve-wracking when I took the job but the show must go on.

I should have managed my expectations because these kids need all the patience I have.

I try to be patient. I try to be humble. But no matter how understanding I try to be. It’s hard not to get frustrated with kids who think they are the gift to God’s green earth. That’s what is so triggering.

I too was a naive child who thought they were a gift to God’s green earth.

Trends change and kids change but it seems that middle school kids will always be immature. Well duh! They’re middle school kids. I don’t know what I was expecting.

There are a lot of changes happening to a middle schooler. Elementary school is so yesterday and now it’s all about looking like an adult.

I remember when I was in middle school there was a lot of pressure to grow up. Some of us still want to savor being a child while others were rushing into a whole new world.

Ugh, I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite time to look back on. I too thought that I knew it all. My whole life's purpose was to be one of the cool kids. Seriously all my attention was on the clothes I wore and if I was talking to the right people. Not my favorite memories to look back on.

Middle school is a blink compared to the amount of time we have for the rest of our lives. Yet when you are that age it feels that it’s the only time that matters.

Middle-schoolers you aren’t alone. It’s a tough time I’ll give you that. But please do me a favor and keep your voice down. You don’t have to yell everything from across the room. I’ll give you a pass for your experimentation with style. Even the new slang that you use that I have no idea what it means.

There will be a time when you look back at your middle school days and be embarrassed. Until then try to keep it down.