is anyone a middle school teacher?

Question

i am considering secondary ed. as a profession...i think i may like working with middle schoolers rather than high schoolers. can anyone tell me the pros and cons, and what are the job prospects? will i be likely to find a job?

Answer 1

I was one for 14 years. I really liked it, but discipline is the biggest problem. that's the age when they are going through a preadolescent version of the terrible 2's. you can reason with them better, but they are still trying to test their boundaries. see how far they can push and get away with things. if you can make learning interesting and fun, they'll be great. teachers are needed all over, but smaller towns usually have more openings than larger cities. they can't pay as much, but it's a good way to get experience if you want to try for a larger city later. I liked teaching in smaller, rural towns.

Answer 2

You have to have an abundance of activities and resources available to make a dent in their day to day lives.
They are still interested in learning, but have to do it in chunks, whereas high school students can work for longer periods of time, usually.
I think you will like it. It depends where you live, if jobs are available. Just make sure you make yourself availabel for them and use every chance you can to get through to them. They want to know that you care.