Middle School Mindset 2: This magical age inspires hope and passion. When I asked people to share what drives your spirit and commitment to middle level education the plethora of adjectives provide a vast array that examines the infinite characteristics of this amazing age group. With each of the expressions of who these young people are, I believe we stand in awe of them, and I wish we could bottle their energy. It is this spirit and commitment that provides a backdrop for how to work with them. It is possible that knowing the creative possibilities that make up this age group could be a selling point to promote middle level education. A middle school mindset embraces the unique, inspiring, and sometimes frustrating world of young adolescents. And those who work with them appear to be energized by their hope.
They are awkward, funny, bright, dramatic, overly confident at times while completely unsure at others…yearning for connections, budding citizens, vulnerable, emotional, playful, serious, challenging, earnest in their beliefs, highly ethical, highly aware of inequity, simple and complex. They exude excitement, curiosity, sincerity, intensity, creativity; they are inventive, highly imaginative, and incredibly interested in the world around them. And so, what do we do with this? I believe we must be researchers of this age group, digging deeply into brain research, theories on young adolescents, and current research that defines who these young people are in the 21st century. And we must share the what they produce. We must tell their stories, their ideas, their passions and we have the awesome opportunity to help lead teachers and middle school students to “their why.”
Perhaps we can share more of their art, their music, their passion. Digital storytelling is accessible to many. Is it possible that our candidates can work with schools to help publish the stories of young adolescents' dreams and passions?
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