Realities of Teaching Middle School

One of my favorite things about teaching history is the projects I get to do with my kids.  This week we are just introducing history concepts like geography, timelines, family crests etc.  Last night I assigned my kids a family crest, numerous were excited to present their and they took it so seriously. I was amazed, they were awesome and I really got to know my students much deeper.

I also assigned them a timeline, I am trying to reinforce the BCE and CE aspect of the timeline.  They had to write 5 events that happened before they were born and 5 that happened after on their personal timelines.  Numerous kids struggled through the process but my goal is to get them to go home and discuss it with their parents to get them involved as well.  We started the project in class but they are to finish it tonight for homework, many got a great start and it didn't take long for them to begin to open up more.  One student called me over to silently ask me if her mom dying when she was 2 was an important event.  It is so tough to be hit with that and then not have the time or place to address it.  Shortly after another student asked me if his two uncles being shot execution style in front of their family was two events or one.  And then, not more than 30 seconds later, another student asked if he could put two events on the same day.  He went on to explain that the day he was born, his 34 yr old brother was driving to the hospital to meet him for the first time. He never made it because he was killed in a car accident on his way.  In less than 3 minutes I was horribly reminded of the tragic and terrible circumstances my kids are faced with.  How at 11 can they have to deal with these situations.  It broke me, I wanted to keep them all afternoon and tell them how sorry I was that their lives are they way they are but at 3:30 the bell rang and they had to go home. We are only 4 days in and this is already surfacing.  I'm praying for strength to support them and care for their broken hearts that have seen too much.

On a lighter note, two students blew me away.  One student came in at lunch even though he is not in my class until after lunch.  He came up and said, "Ms. DeForest, I didn't bring my homework, I know in your class that means you have detention, I was irresponsible and forgot it because I was in a rush to leave." About this point I'm thinking he is going to give me an excuse.  He did the complete opposite and said, "I was wondering if I can serve my detention now (at lunch) because my mom is in a hurry after school and I don't want to make her late."  I literally couldn't answer him, I was so shocked with how responsible and honest he was.  It gave me huge hope in the 150 kids I teach!  Later in the day as he was doing his timeline, he asked if he could include shaving as part of his major events.  I just smiled loving that there was still innocence in my kids that made their first shave a big deal.

And then, another student came up to me after class to turn in the homework that is due tomorrow.  I told him I was glad he got it done ahead of time but to hold onto it until tomorrow.  That is when he said, "I know homework has to be turned in and my family will be going out of town tomorrow so I won't be here to turn it in.  I finished it early and wanted to make sure I got it to you."  Blew me away!! I love how invested they are, its a huge encouragement for me to keep high expectations.  And I know this sounds sexist but both of these kids are middle school boys! I know few middle school boys who would take school so seriously. 

I ADORE my kids, they are amazing, and yes I will say it, I'm LOVING teaching middle school!  Some people may be falling out of their seats or having heart attacks but I do love my kids.

Sorry for my first post after starting school being so heavy.  What I love is that in the midst of brokenness and unfair circumstances, there is so much joy in my kids. I want to protect their innocence and help to develop them into kids who love each other and hopefully one day God as well. I will update more later on more about our first week.  I'm praying all my weeks look like this one. 

Please pray with me that God will equip me to love and protect my students as they walk into difficult years.  Pray that I would know how to deeply love them in the midst of their brokenness and difficult lives.  I don't know how to do this, I don't know how to empathize but I sure do love them.