Danielle: A High School Teacher’s Worst Nightmare?

I think it is very common for teachers to believe that it would be impossible for them to teach any grade other than the grade they teach. When I meet elementary school teachers, they tell me that they could never teach teenagers, I tell them I could never teach little kids, and then we both laugh and agree we could NEVER do middle school.

I’ve spent five years building my solid identity as a high school teacher, and four of those were as the teacher of primarily juniors and seniors. During my first year, I developed a firm belief that anyone under the age of 14 was perpetually sticky.

And now, those sticky kids are my responsibility, too. Oh, my! As the K-12 Coordinator, I have all of the students this year, and it was scaring me to death. The elementary students scare me more than the middle school students, since I had worked with three middle school classes once upon a time. While they are a little strange, they don’t seem quite so foreign to me. Strange as it may seem, I decided to start overcoming my fear of working with the under-14 crowd by diving in to the more terrifying grades first.

As far as I was concerned, my observations of elementary students from walking around the hallways at school weren’t helping to calm my fears. They push, they shove, they kick, they pull each other’s backpacks, and they follow my service dog with a strange chorus of adoration. If you want to know where I am in the building, just stand quietly and listen for the high pitched cooing… that’s the bubble of Mia and me passing through an area! They talk, they fidget, they squirm, they yell, they ask impertinent questions, and in many ways they aren’t that different from teenagers, if I was honest about it. Some of them more energetic, but not as different as I might have thought. 

Unable to put it off any longer, I decided to pull students in small groups for Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) meetings. I was terrified. I didn’t sleep the night before. Pathetic, right? Big, bad high school teacher (with narcolepsy, I might add!) intimidated by a bunch of 10-year-olds.

Anyway, I was nervous about their reaction to me, because I know they’ve had a lot of change in the program. I’m the third new GT teacher they’ve had, and I wanted them to feel like I had a plan for them, and that it wouldn’t be just another boring year. I wanted them to see the whole picture, where I work with their teachers to make class more interesting, I work with them in GT class, and they get an overarching project to present at the end of the year. I wanted them to understand the role of the new and improved goals that they would get to create, and the better ALPs, with social-emotional growth as well. I was fired up with everything I was going to tell them!

As it turns out, the little ones totally got it, and were so excited about everything I told them! They kept asking me a thousand questions about everything, and are thrilled with my new direction! They really seem to like me, too, which will help the process along. Perhaps it was letting them use colored pens when they can only use pencil in class, or telling them I was gifted, to which they all replied, “You, too?”

I was surprised to discover that it was easier to work with them than I thought it would be. It required as much patience as I expected, but I didn’t need to dredge up any extra childhood memories or child-friendly stories. I just worked with them the same way I work with my older students. I treated them with respect and dignity; spoke to them honestly and genuinely. I realized somewhere along the way that these kids were just like me 20 years ago, and all I really need to do is be myself, and they will respond.

Somehow, by the end of an hour with each group, we seemed to get along, and many of them were disappointed to go to recess! I was so excited to have overcome my fear of working with elementary school students, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit to a bit of happiness at their personal acceptance as well.

Has anyone else faced their biggest fear at school? Did it work out as well as mine did, or could you use a virtual hug from the community for a rough time?  Does anyone need some encouragement to face a particularly difficult fear ahead of them?

Comments

[Jo]

Before returning to college to get my teaching degree, I was a paraprofessional for a number of years. I had always been in various elementary schools, and always thought I'd want to teach in the lower grades. I was then moved to high school, and was there for about 1 1/2 years....I absolutely loved it! I will be back in the younger grades again for my student teaching, but I hope to work again with high school. They have such a different perspective on things. I have also found that students in elementary notice everything! And usually have an opinion that they like to share!

[Nick]

Congrats on facing your fears and getting familiar with the little ones! Somethign I have struggled with throughout my education is what ages of children I wanted to teach. For some reason I have never fully considered middle school, which seems to be the case for most Special Education teachers. It was nice to read about you feeling the same about the younger children, and facing your fear. It just goes to show that we cannot judge or have a set opinion about things, until we try them out first hand! I will be doing my student teaching in a High School and I'm very interested to see how this goes. Before, I was leaning towards wantting to teach elementary level children, but this experience may completely change my mind. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[Kayla]

Danielle, congrats on facing your fear! I can relate with your feeling of being nervous and overwhelmed when working with an age group that you are not familiar with. I am currently a student and I have had the opportunity to enter many classes and grades during my field experiences. One of my first field experiences was in middle school. An age group feared by many, including me, ended up being one of the most meaningful and inspiring experiences! I am so thankful for this opportunity to work with middle school students, because before that, I would have never seen myself working in middle school. I experienced many challenges, but there were many more rewards. Although my first few days were filled with nervous feelings, I soon felt extremely comfortable with the students. I am happy to say that I loved middle school!

[Jamie]

Danielle,

Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. I can relate to this situation. When I first decided to go to graduate school to become a special education teacher I could only picture myself working in the elementary setting. My first few field experiences were in the elementary setting and I really enjoyed them. When I found out that I would also have to get experience in the middle and high school settings, I was terrified. All this past summer, after learning of my first student teaching placement, I would tell friends and family, "those middle-schoolers are going to give me a run for my money!" I was looking forward to learning how to teach middle school aged students, but I was definitely afraid. Turns out, I'm currently loving working in the middle school. I could now see myself teaching elementary or middle school. I never would have thought.

Next semester I will have to student teach in the high school setting and...I am terrified! I am hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised again. We'll have to wait and see :).

[Alison]

I had a very similar experience but I was used to working with elementary students and I got placed in a high school. I was so nervous the first day because I have never wanted to work with high schoolers. After the first week I had a lot of fun and was excited to keep going back. I think it's important for teachers to work with all grades. It's such a great eye opening experience! After my experience I now feel much more comfortable dealing with students from any grade.
Keep up the great work and have a wonderful year!

[Dr Fred Young]

I find it important to be able to teach to all levels. Naturally, your training and preferences will bias you toward some ages rather than others (I've taught all ages, including adults), but flexibility and the professional ability to go where you are needed is crucial

[Natalie]

Sounds like you really got over the fear of elementary children, It is important to try all age levels because you might be missing out on something you really enjoy. I have always wanted to teach little ones, it is the older students that scare me. I work with all aged students right now in an after school program and I think I can connect with the younger ones more, I love their enjoyment for learning still and I also enjoy the rather large age gap between us. Who knows, I might try teaching older students and overcome my fears.

[Danielle]

I think we all deserve a huge pat on the back for facing our fears! I think it is human nature to become comfortable with a narrow view of our lives, but the amazing growth that we experience when we are willing to try out new possibilities is well worth the effort! Bravo to us all!!

One thing that I always find interesting is the way people perceive different teaching jobs. I smiled when Liz pointed out that most people view middle school teachers as "saints", because it is true! I started thinking about what most people think of my job, and laughed when I remembered the typical reaction to my old job. The next time someone asks what you do for a living, tell them you teach high school math and watch what they do. Almost everyone takes a step back from you - literally!

As a GT coordinator, I get all sorts of reactions - from people who think it is really cool, to people who call me an elitist jerk, to teachers who smirk and tell me how nice it must be to only have the "good kids", to teachers who look horrified and tell me they would go crazy with just the brainiacs all day. It's actually been a great opportunity to tell lots of people about the unique and completely misunderstood world of Gifted and Talented, which is pretty cool.

[Stephanie C]

Danielle,

I am currently a student teacher teaching high school in a special education setting. I also am attaining an elementary education degree, so my fear was in teaching high school or middle school. The first day I started at the high school, I was intimidated at the fact that some of my students were only a few years younger then me. I was worried that they would not look to me as an authority figure. After the first few days, I fell in love with high school and really enjoy the students that I get to work with. I now am torn between all grade levels and do not have a preference, which I suppose is a good thing!

I am glad you got over your fear!

[Gerryanne]

Although I'm in my regular education placement right now for student teaching, I too had this fear of teaching a grade I thought I wouldn't do so well at. This year my fear was working with the 5th grade because they would know a lot more than younger children. Maybe it was just my fear that I might not teach a lesson well or word it the way my cooperating teacher wanted it. As it turns out, I love it. It's nice not having to tie kids shoes or help them step by step. Older kids are more independent, and they have a lot of knowledge to share. I had this same experience in my Special Ed. practicum of which was in a high school setting. I thought I would hate high school, but I learned that if I had to, I could teach it.

Way to dive in head first and face your fears! You're doing a great job!

[Kristin]

Danielle I am not going to lie- I’m scared to death to teach middle school or high school! I have worked mostly in elementary schools and have done ESY in a middle/ high school combo class. I don’t think it is the kids themselves that I am scared of it’s the fact that elementary students think you are the smartest person ever and middle/ high school they are in the stage you know nothing! That scares me!! How do I get to them- to make them understand??? I remember when I was that age school was no fun and teachers/ my parents had no idea what they were talking about. But real soon (aka next semester) I will have to face my biggest fear also- I start my student teaching in either a middle school or a high school.

Keep up the great work you are doing!!

[Laura]

Danielle, I found this blog post pretty humorous simply because I know so many people who say they only want to work in a high school or they only want to work in an elementary school, and then all of a sudden they have an experience in the field that they claimed they would NEVER work in and it turns out they love it! I always thought I could only work in an elementary school and I could NEVER work in a high school or middle school. Well, I did a practicum experience in a middle school, and I am currently completing my first round of student teaching in a high school. I love them both! Now, I am nervous to be in an elementary school, because I no longer know if I want to work in an elementary school. I think the truth is that there are different pros and cons when working in different school levels, and teachers just learn how to work in the area in which they are placed.

I keep going back and forth on a certain ‘fear’. Although it makes no sense, I am not sure if I am scared, or if I am excited, or if I am a bit of both. I was asked by my co-operating teacher to write a student’s IEP and lead his IEP meeting. I am excited and everything to learn more about the IEP process. However, I feel a HUGE sense of responsibility and accountability. I feel like the IEP will need to be perfect. Also, I feel that I need to know everything at the IEP meeting. I know I will have my co-operating teacher there to help guide me, but it is still kind of nerve racking. I haven’t asked my co-operating teacher what day his IEP meeting is partly because I always forget to ask, and partly because I think it is better if I don’t know; then I wont freight over it when I don’t need to be.

It sounds like you are doing great working with all of the students (K-12) and their needs.

[Liz]

Your opening paragraph really hit it home for me. I am one of the people who really like to work with middle school students. I have found that people think I am either a saint or crazy. Related to your questions, the largest fear I have has nothing to do with the students, I know I can work with them, it is the parents and co-workers that I am most afraid of facing. Becoming the "new kid" is not something I look forward to I do not like to feel like I am out of the loop or that someone does not like what I am going to be doing. I am finding that If I really think of the benefit of the child most people start to understand where I am coming from and are responsive. Thank you for your thoughts and I am happy you have over come some of your "sticky" fears. :)

[Kristine]

My biggest fear is classroom management. It has never been my strong point. But I am finding one of the best ways to manage the students is to plan an interesting activity that will keep them intrigued for most of the class time (having small groups and not expecting complete silence helps too).

[Kelsey]

I think your fear is very relevant to all teachers, but I am glad that you dove fearlessly into the younger crowd and weren't afraid to try something new. I have had the same experience myself. I am currently a student teacher and up until now my entire college experiences in the classroom have mainly been based in the elementary setting, which I am very comfortable with. Last spring I got placed in a middle school and I was nervous to be working with students who are at a very difficult age, but I found that I loved teaching middle school and could see myself as a middle school teacher one day. This fall I was placed in a high school and I was terrified. Most of the kids are bigger and taller than me and some are only a few years younger than I am! But once I faced my fear of high school, I too realized that they are just students who enjoy having someone who is enthusiastic about teaching and an adult they can trust. While I cannot tell yet whether I would really want to permanently work in the high school setting, I am enjoying the challenge and am glad that I got to experience all grade levels in my undergraduate career.

[Brenna]

I love how you finally overcame your fear of teaching the little ones! Personally, I think there are advantages and disadvantages to all grade levels, but they are all SO fun! I'm student teaching right now in a middle school and was a little nervous before I started. But I have discovered that I LOVE teaching middle school students, even though I always wanted to teach elementary school. It is a really hard age for kids to be at ... middle school is where students are really trying to find their place in the world and this is why I think a lot of people try to avoid middle school teaching. But now that I have been here for a little over a month I am comfortable with the students and am really starting to envision myself becoming a middle school teacher one day. My next big hurdle is teaching high school... that's probably my biggest fear at school. Some of the high school students are only a few years younger than I am -- I would be nervous that they don't see me as an authority figure. I'll have to cross that bridge if/when I get there.