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BLOG: The Beauty of Middle School

By Daniel Kerr
10-Dec-12
BLOG: The Beauty of Middle School


So I’ve written seventy-five of these musings over the past two and a half years, and I have tried very hard over that time to write pieces that span across all school divisions, and relate to all educators regardless of what age group they teach. Well, I cannot hold back anymore…….today I’m going to write about how much I love the Middle School! In my opinion, Middle School students are the most beautiful creatures on the planet, and they inspire me so much that I’m literally struggling to put it into words. If I think about all the grade levels in a traditional school (from Kindergarten through to twelfth) as a burning flame, I see the Middle School years as that blue part right smack in the center…..the core….the place where it burns the hottest, the place that shapes, and the place that transforms the overall identity of the fire.
From the sweet innocence of the 6th grade class, who come to Middle School so excited, and scared, and hopeful, and nervous, and who still think it’s okay to go on play dates and cry when they they get hurt……to the confusing and formative 7th Grade class who learn so much about their changing bodies, and hormones, and how to fit in and make friends, and about who they are starting to become as people…….to the desperate to be adult 8th grade class who want so much to be given independence and autonomy, but still silently scream out for boundaries and guidance……..how can you not love the struggle? All the awkwardness, all the mistakes, all the tears and heartache, and all the relentless hope truly makes my heart want to burst! Their search for themselves is so open and honest and pure……. and it draws me in day after day after day.
The best part of my day is watching them all come off the buses first thing in the morning ready to start it again…….they walk past me smiling, sleepy, and eager to learn about life…….hoping to be noticed and inspired and validated by the ones that matter the most….their peers. I watch them, I joke with them, I try and set a good example for them, and I love them……..and I understand their struggle. If you ask anyone about their Middle School years you always get a passionate response…..some people loved Middle School and some people hated it, but everyone remembers it intensely. The first crush, the hopeful first kiss, all those risks that were taken that either fell flat or successfully catapulted you ahead with relief…….constantly failing forward, and growing, and doing things you wish you hadn’t done……it changes you, and it sets the tone for your life. For some people these are the best years of their lives and for some these are their worst, and for me it’s beautiful to watch it all unfold……..I love Middle School and I love Middle School kids, and I’m inviting you all this week to watch them, and marvel at them, and be inspired by what they’re going through. Praise them, set high expectations for them, embrace those teachable moments, and hold them accountable……..encourage them to take risks and make mistakes and when you do, watch them learn and learn and learn.
Being a Middle School Principal is the most incredible job on earth because I get to live vicariously through all of them…….and I get to feel that burn that comes from being right at the center of the flame……everyday. They make me feel alive and I’m honored to be a part of their journey. It’s a struggle for sure, but there’s no better place to be than right in that flaming blue core….where life burns the brightest. Have a great week everyone and remember to be great for our Middle School kids and good to each other.
Daniel Kerr is currently the Middle School Principal at Shanghai Community International School in Shanghai, China. A Division of 360 students Grades 6 through 8 with over 40 faculty.He is passionate about education and blogs weekly about his thoughts and vision. Teaching Your Way Around the World.




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Comments

01/22/2013 - Kristan J
This is the first of your MMs I have read, and I couldn't agree more! MS kids are amazing and they bring their own brand of zaniness, intensity, surprising maturity and complex innocence to every encounter. I loved teaching Middle Schoolers in summer school at JIS. How lucky they are at your school to have a mentor who so understands and "gets" them...but then there's more than a bit of MS in you!