What Does Middle School Look Like at Shannon Forest?

- Guest post from Middle School Lead Teacher Kara Wheeler

It happens all the time.  I can be in conversation with someone and the question always comes up, “So, what do you do?” Most recently it was a nurse at my son’s doctor’s office.  This is the part on which I can depend.  The part that is the same in almost any situation.  Before I answer, I am already picturing the response. The recoil, the grimace, the recovery, the apologetic smile… as if teaching Middle School English was some cruel punishment passed down to me because of some horrid crime I committed.  “I teach Middle School,” I responded with smile.  And, sure enough, I receive the response I was expecting.

Many people cringe at the thought of teaching Middle School.  Not me.  I love it.  I love the challenge, the hormones, the changes, the breakthroughs, the questions, the lightbulb moments, and the self-discovery.  So, when Mr. Bouvier asked me to “enhance” the Middle School, I felt as though I was being handed a gift.  I was being given the task of taking something I LOVE and making it even better.   As a classroom teacher, I have an advantage.  I can use what I know about students and cater to the Middle School students’ emotional, spiritual, cognitive, and intellectual needs.  

So, what will the new Shannon Forest Middle School look like?  First, it will look like Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS).  In today’s society, full of distractions and devices, it has become apparent to us, at SFCS, that students seem to lack a sense of organization and management.  Our first order of business is to devote intentional time to help students take notes, time manage, plan for daily study time, and organize their belongings.  As Middle School teachers, we recognize that when a student establishes good life-skill behaviors during 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades, they are much better prepared for High School and college. We hope to instill a sense of ownership of these skills by our students in order for them to be better prepared for our High School and life.

Additionally, we hope to establish a consistent and continuous instruction set.  During Middle School, students are changing, and nothing seems constant.  They are growing and changing…their identity, their handwriting, how they decorate their rooms, who they hang out with, their style, choice of music…all during these 3 years.  Their voices change and so do their hairstyles.   At times, these changes can become overwhelming.  If we, as a school, can keep Middle School teachers, standards, and routines consistent, we hope this will bring balance to the ever-changing lives of our Middle School students. As a Middle School, our goal will be to establish classroom routines and expectations that are consistent from one teacher to another, keeping at least one aspect of the ever-changing life of a Middle School student constant.

Middle School changes are coming to Shannon Forest Christian School for one reason… because it will afford us more opportunities to provide your children with an education marked by wisdom, excellence and purpose. Thank you again for trusting us with the education of your children.