If you would of told me five years ago I would be teaching 6th, 7th and 8th graders (and loving it) I would of called you a liar.
Well, I could not imagine teaching any other group of students.
{maybe high school...would not step close to elementary}
Truth be told when I was going to school and aiming to teach special education I had no clue what grade I wanted to work with. I just assumed I would end up in elementary.
The program I was in required that I have four internship varying from elementary to high school. Here is where I was placed for my internships:
#1- Kindergarten
{singing the alphabet is not my thing}
#2- fourth and fifth grade
{this was a nice change from the little ones}
#3- sixth, seventh and eighth grade science
{loved every single minute}
#4- second, third and fourth grade
{too wide of a range for students}
When my third internship was approaching I was asked if I preferred middle or high school. I told my professor I did not have a preference and to surprise me and boy was I surprised!
I landed an internship teaching science to 6th, 7th and 8th grade ESE students. To sum up my experience in one word I would have to say: Outstanding!
I have a dry sense of humor, am a tad bit sarcastic and like to think outside of the box. I have never felt so comfortable teaching a group of students...I had found my home!
I have truly enjoyed teaching middle schoolers these past three years. They inspire and challenge me on a daily basis. I love that they are miniature adults just discovering who they really are. Having the opportunity to mold them and watch them grow is pure bliss.
{I could go on, but I will stop}
I guess you can say that my tolerance level is pretty high since not only do I teach middle school, but work with student who have disabilities.
Stay tuned to find out why I decided to go into ESE
I loved reading your story. When I was going through college, I wanted elementary and the thought of middle and high schoolers made me cringe! After 3 years in elementary, I decided I needed a change. So I took a position in 7th grade Inclusion. I LOVE IT! I can not imagine taking any other position and working with any other group of students.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! 7th grade by far is my favorite of the middle school grades! Middle school made me cringe too before I worked with them.
DeleteI love your passion for middle school, something I now understand more than I thought I ever would! I think our personalities in the classroom are very similar, and boy do those middle schoolers eat it up! I'm still having anxiety attacks about being hired back into primary and making a 6 year old cry on the first day! fingers crossed for big kids :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marci! I am glad you enjoyed your year in the middle and hopefully will have the same next year too! This students sure do pick up on sarcastic remarks and will give it right back...which I love!
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