5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Middle School Teacher
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- When I tell people I teach middle school, it's usually met with groans and sympathy. While teaching pre-teens has it's challenges, the middle school classroom is actually the place I love to teach the most.
Here are 5 things that I wish I knew before becoming a middle school teaching.
0:00 I teach middle school
0:18 Subbing is the best classroom management training
2:19 Classroom management gets better (with reflection)
4:28 Don't let every explanation turn into a negotiation
5:33 Don't minimize their tween drama
7:18 Middle schoolers are a ton of fun
Teaching 6th Grade vs. 8th Grade | • TEACHING 6th Grade vs....
---------------------------------------------
MIDDLE SCHOOL-STEM TEACHERS:
WANT TO DESIGN AN ENGAGING CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR STUDENTS AND FULFILLING TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF?
HERE ARE SOME NEXT STEPS!
1. SUBSCRIBE and learn how to design an engaging classroom experience for your students and fulfilling teaching experience for yourself!
/ @gibsonedu
2. FREE LIST: 10 Unique Classroom Jobs that Tap into Your Students' Interests
thomgibson.com/10classjobs
3. LET’S CONNECT!
- / gibsonedu
- / gibsoneducation
- / thomgibson
- / gibsonedu
4. LET ME WORK WITH YOUR TEACHERS | See my profession learning workshops and book me for your PD training - thomgibson.com/workwithme/
Teaching in public schools is just 50% of what you do every day, the easiest part. The hardest and most stressful part is dealing with the student's behaviors, school administration, and parents. Being a teacher is not just teaching. Teachers have a lot of responsibilities for little salary.
This comment exactly 💯
For sure. It can be a crazy stressful job for such little pay.
I taught in public schools for 15 years and never complained about my pay. I worked in regular jobs before teaching (and while going to college to pay for it) and I appreciated the higher pay from teaching. And there is not a SINGLE study (I know of) that shows paying teachers more money has helped kids learn more or any better. NONE I know of. However there's another side to this coin. A retiring teacher put it this way....."The teacher is afraid of their principal, the principal is afraid of the Supt. the Supt is afraid of the School Board, the School Board is afraid of the parents, the parents are afraid of disciplining their kids......AND THE KIDS AREN'T AFRAID OF ANYBODY!" Gee.....what could POSSIBLY go wrong here?? Adding to this, kids with cell phones on social media (in and out of class), forced CRT and the gay-trans agenda brainwashing them, thrown into this so-called "educational" mix, makes me SOOOO glad I'm out of the profession. I feel sorry for you who are still in it though!
@@USCG.Brennan Wow it's crazy how none of anything you said made any sense! Also it's just common sense that if teachers aren't worried about paying their bills then they're going to have more time to create more engaging lesson plans, materials and just be more in tune with their students and have better control over their classes. Also the random disparaging of CRT and the erasure of real life queer kids is really concerning considering the fact that you allegedly worked with kids before. I feel really bad for any students you might've had.
@@bubblesgum2768 Wow.....another Liberal has spoken. I speak from YEARS of teaching both public school and 2 Community Colleges. I feel sorry for the kids you liberal socialist teachers are brainwashing our kids with and know for a FACT that it's going on. Both my brothers also taught (one was a Principal) so don't feed me any of. the crap you're trying to feed the public, or the kids! And again......I know of ABSOLUTELY no study that shows paying teachers more money increases kid's learning. PROVE ME WRONG, SONNY!! PS.....your YT user name tells me a lot. ;-)
Middle School is my favorite. I have no plans to move to highschool anytime soon. They’re fantastic weird little goblins, but they’re the most creative and rewarding students to teach. All great tips. Especially avoiding over complicating things. Clear & simple is the way.
Thanks Jace :) Clear & simple for sure! Happy Tuesday man.
@Schmidt Minutes. Highschool is a waste government taxes because children Know enough after middle school go to a Jr college.
I love that I wanna say that all the time now lol " fantastic weird little goblins" lol
“fantastic weird little goblin” 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Truer words have never been spoken.
Agreed I LOVE middle schoolers. They are still young enough to be silly and like kids but also old enough to start to have deep thoughts and engaging conversations
A retiring teacher put it this way....."The teacher is afraid of their principal, the principal is afraid of the Supt. the Supt is afraid of the School Board, the School Board is afraid of the parents, the parents are afraid of disciplining their kids......AND THE KIDS AREN'T AFRAID OF ANYBODY!" Gee.....what could POSSIBLY be wrong here??
Winning recipe right there
You had me 😂 when you did the “your not letting her go to the bathroom?” part. So true , they know how to overwhelm you with questions and criticisms to make you mentally exhausted so you’ll finally be like “whatever”. That’s why you stick to the management plan.
For sure. Some of those days were so exhausting.
Your videos are so practical. I Am a middle school art teacher and broke down with tears after teaching six graders. I feel like they think little of me and failure as a teacher. nevertheless this video lightens me ip helps me reflect on my teaching skills. thank you so much for these tips
I’m really sorry you’re having such a bad experience in the classroom right now. I do hope things get better for you Jess.
Thank you for the tips. Your videos are actually helpful and so down to earth. I appreciate it!
Hey glad to hear you found the tips helpful Jeffrey!
Wonderful tips. Thanks Thom 👏
Sure thing Sara!
RIGHT ON!!! Thanks for assistance!!!
👍
New subscriber Thom!!! I’m going through teacher certification program now, hoping to teach middle school. Needed this video♥️
Welcome to the profession Bree 👩🏻🏫
Very good, Sir! I have taught for 45 years and I still LOVE it. Like you, I subbed for my first two years after college. After teaching for four years in two elementary schools, (Visual Arts) I was moved to our district's Gifted and Talented Program. Subbing obviously taught me a whole lot about classroom control. Much of my career was spent with Middle School students. . . and I really enjoyed them. I truly believe the Arts can easily be manipulated to build confidence. Students need success! I appreciate your humor & insights. I am currently teaching Vocal / Choral Music and a Studio Introduction to Architecture in a wonderful Homeschoolers Association. My daughter is a fourth generation teacher on my mom's side. I have always found teaching to be both a great ministry and a profession filled with growth and creativity. Love your insights.
Thanks for sharing that John :)
I taught middle school for 24 of my 26 years as a teacher. It is still my favorite age, but you have to find the humor and love them in their messiness.
There’s definitely humor to be found amongst those middle schoolers 😃
This is so good and so true!
Thanks Joy!
I feel you when you talked about your first substitute experience in middle school. I had mine yesterday and I wanted to cry when I came home. The kids wouldn’t listen, I didn’t know what to do and the only “sub plans” I had were to have the kids work on whatever needed to be done which I clearly had no idea what that was. I’m going to be student teaching in middle school English in the fall and I feel somewhat discouraged. I hope it will get better
Im sorry to hear that kitkat97. It can be such a defeating feeling. Keep reflecting and trying new things. Keep doing the things that seem to work. Try to understand why other things don't work. Get to be friends with the most veteran teachers at your school (who still love to teach...not the jaded ones who are counting down the days to retirement) and ask them for tips about specific problems you're facing in class. Do that and things will get better.
Thank you for sharing Mr. G! I have been teaching HS for the past 6 years and I am moving to 7th grade. I am nervous but watching your video has made me more excited.
Glad to hear it Andrew! Good luck!
This vid made me laugh out loud soooo much. I’m a first year art teacher and appreciate this advice more than you know!!!!!! Really loved the “i dont even know what we’re supposed to be doing” and the desire to reach out to all your past teachers and thank them HAHAHAHA
Haha glad you could relate Sophia :)
Thank you for posting this. I am a newish middle school teacher, and well teacher in general, and I have been struggling to get my ducks in a row.
It takes time. Keep trying new things and you can even ask your students what you can do to improve your lessons. They often have valuable feedback. I made a video on how to do that - ruclips.net/video/0Ax9aZCpHxs/видео.html
I didn't start substitute teaching until I had 20+ years experience. I had moved to another state and thatis how I got a regular teaching job. I did pretty well. The admin nor the kids expected someone to come in and know what to do. However, if you don't have any experience. I agree. Substitute teaching is a a good training ground.
Ha, yeah the kids are like 'whoa, didn't expect them to actually take control of the class' when you speak with a little authority in your voice.
Your point about being anxious and fearful is important. Thank you. James Deagle
Glad it was helpful James 👍🏼
I've been teaching for exactly 6 days. This content is really helpful. I am comfortable with the subject Im teaching and have no problem talking to groups but for some reason I'm struggling to managing my classroom. Thanks for making these videos.
Classroom management is THE HARDEST part of those first few years of teaching.
This is so good!!!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I just started today as a middle school teacher, and i watched your videos on my way there, i think they liked me 🤣
So glad I found this channel.
Welcome aboard Monica :)
Thank you!
Thank YOU Marco! 🙏🏼
"'I couldn't just write down, 'This kid's a jerk'" 😂😂😂
In all honestly, sometimes that really IS what the issue is. Punks.
@@gibsonedu Isn't that the truth!! :D
@@gibsonedu - LOL 😂
suuuuper helpful because I’m really looking into become a middle school teacher. Still can’t decide on history or art first
Glad you found it helpful Ari! Welcome to the professional 😃
Did for two years then took a break … now I’m going to teach 6 th grade !! Nervous and excited!!
Good luck! Hope the first few weeks go well 😃
Great video
Thanks TJ!
Hilarious! TY
Ha, thanks Leelie!
Great content!
I am so excited to teach Spanish!
I completed my bachelor's degree while living in my car; I spent the better part of 5 years traveling around Latin America, and I became fluent in Spanish at 25 years of age. I am currently enrolled in an alternative teaching program to teach Spanish, but as I will be around 8 months to get into the classroom, I've decided to get my CDL. A company will be paying for my training and I will be creating videos during the process and sharing as much as I can for everyone else out there interested in driving! I begin on the 31st.
I would like to teach now, but I have not been able to find any districts that will allow me to teach without a license. For reference, I'm in Ohio!
Take care.
Mi mama is de Panama pero no estoy fluente en Espanol y por eso necessito a practicar aqui! Y no estoy usando ChatGPT por esto. Jaja.
Buena suerta cuando empieza a ensenar a Espanol!
I love your videos
I appreciate that Shannon!
I taught computers in grade 3 to grade 8 at a small independent private school so I understand you entirely
Haha, glad to hear it TJ!
I teach ages 9-11 Uk and I love it. They are the best!
They're great 😃
Hello! I wish to become a middle school math teacher. Inorder to sub do I need to brush up math skills and is there any resource to learn to use smart board for math?
Hey there! I'm making videos on another RUclips channel and we just released a video where I walk through how I'd use an interactive whiteboard for math lesson. You can find the video here - ruclips.net/video/TETK5hqCwqY/видео.html
This is so accurate. Hilarious. Subs have a hard road.
It's a hard road FOR SURE!
Good advice but Midde school In inner city schools is a whole other ball game 😅
Ha, I hear you Monique. I taught in a variety of school contexts and the only time I was really at an inner city school was during my subbing days. So my lack of experience definitely didn't help!
Having taught Middleschool for 24 years I can say that this is sage advice.
Haha, thanks for approving of this message David! 24 years is no joke!
primary is the worst for me hahhaha. God blessed me with my position as a secondary level teacher right now ❤
Ha! Yeah different strokes for different folks for sure.
Before I email 6 parents about their kids sleeping during class (often) is there anything I can do to support students who just don't have it for the last period of the day?
Last period is tough. I'd try and incorporate movement breaks.
Sir, I was just hired to teach middle school World History and American History. My student teaching experience was back in 2019, so I'm little rusty it's been a while since I've been in the classroom in front of children. Any advice for going to get me back the mode of being a year 1 teacher?
2:49 is the truth. Every time I had a solo teach without my mentor teacher or when I had to do a lesson with my mentor teacher evaluating me I had this feeling. To be honest it only happened when I didn't feel confident in the lesson plan. It was the polar opposite when I had a lesson that an objective students understand with supporting material that help them reach that objective. With solid classwork in between with evaluation methods see they met the objective. And when I reflect and look back all these lessons seem simplified.
Find some likeminded educators that will bring encouragement & positivity to you. It's easy to find teachers that will complain all day. See who is trying new things in their classroom, where are the veteran teachers, who are the people that seem excited about what they do. Talk to them. Tell them what you're doing in your classroom and ask if they have suggestions. Tell them the challenges you're facing and ask what's worked for them. Hope that helps Ed!
I did bus driving for a year before teaching middle school lol
Right on Dinkle!
Hay quá
👍👍👍
hi thom! how do you reach people with autism? Neurotypicals do not realize we are born to be socially different from "normal".
Hey SJ. I think in those cases, there is obviously much more grace and understanding. If you have students with autism in a class with students who do not have autism, how you respond and react to the behaviors with the student with autism will be the model for the other students. The other students will know that something is different about that student and they will be taking their cues from the teacher on how to respond to it.
@@gibsonedu It is very important to explain why people with autism are often "emotionally mindblind" to how neurotypicals read people's hidden curriculum unspoken intended emotional states and intended social usage of language meaning/tone of voice. It is neurodevelopmental different milestone theory of mind peer-to-peer social sensory conversational awareness not severely special needs cognitively difficult/disabled/disordered delayed impaired.
All School Teachers should work 12 months a year. When classes are not in session, Teachers could do Administrative work and perform other tasks, based on their skill-pool attributes. In the long run, this would save School Districts money in that they wouldn't have to hire as many people to perform non-teaching jobs. Physical plant duties could also be done in that manor. Simplistically hat better way to fix the furnace, by a Shop Teacher with help from Industrial Arts Students (if in session). Schools being self-sufficient, will minimal exceptions, is not only good & practical education, but more cost effective & easing the tax burdens on residents of the District. Any to be more cost-effective to a School District, WITHOUT compromising the Educational standards for the students, would be a feather in the cap for the learning process. School Districts, based on their relative student body size, should not have to have an Assistant Principal in EACH school building. They should travel back & forth between the schools, on an as-needed basis. Another and even more practical cost-cutting measure was mentioned at the onset of this writing. The idea of utilizing School Teachers all year long would be a PROFOUND way of Districts getting more-bang-for-the-buck. Hypothetical situation: If a Teacher was employed by a School District for 40 years, they only actually performed 30 years of work. Another much-needed change, for School Districts in general, would be to contour sessions based on the local weather. In other words, in School Districts that ensure harsh winters, have the three-month-off sessions then. It would not only be more practical with respect to not having snow days or putting students & bus drivers at risk, but also taking away the necessity to have so much time off for the Holidays. It would be a win-win situation for all. I'm surprised this has never been implemented in the past?
Not sure if teachers devoting more time to the school, taking on additional responsibilities, and receiving the same meager pay would be considered a win.
@@gibsonedu Thom, how much do they make, approx? Also, the point I'm trying to make is cost saving for the school districts. Ross
teachers already work outside contract hours, get no budget money for class materials and supplies, AND now you want them to work all year? @@rossmartenak5517
All teachers would quit if this plan was enforced...coming from a teacher who knows teachers 😂
I laughed so hard at this oh my god
😆
Too me it’s easier than elementary
Ha! I agree. I think b/c I'm a middle schooler at heart as well 😉
Middle school students , ha love the bathroom hhhhhh 😅
Aaaalways wanting to go to the bathroom
@@gibsonedu In my country they are not allowed cause they want to the bathroom to take drugs I never let them .
It is the worst 😂🤦
😆
I am 19 and host an afterschool club and really wishing I would have found this when I first started working with kids. GOd bless you, man, this is great advice
Glad it was helpful!
Hay quá
Cảm ơn!