The configuration of schooling has changed dramatically over the course of the United States. Traditionally, a K-8 school elementary school and a 9-12 high school was considered the norm. As time went on, teachers and members of the science community noted that around between fifth and seventh grade, students began to change. Students were going through something completely normal known as early adolescence in which behavioral changes began to change. For example, adolescents were subject to mood swings and experience a pattern of highs and lows. Many other adolescents tend to experience depression. Adding to these behavior changes are learning how to interact, socialize and date the opposite sex. Educators also noted the physical changes that occurred during this time period. Males and females experience growth spurts, genital regions growing and pubic hair begins to form. Male’s voices tend to get deeper and they experience wet dreams or ejaculation. Females begin to have enlarged breast and experience menstruation.
What is interesting is that Americans realized that adolescence is a normal process in life that everyone experiences; however, most states do not represent teaching middle school as a distinctive license. Elementary School Teachers are licensed through 8th grade and high school teachers are licensed to teach grades 6-12. This is an injustice because the techniques used to teach middle school students are different from high school and middle school. Teachers have to be sensitive and understand the need for middle school students to develop social skills, managing hygiene, rebellious nature, changing individual perceptions, redefining what is wrong and right and the development of intellectual operations. This transitional period starts and ends at different times. Children are at varying levels during this period, so it takes special training to teach middle school children. As a result, I think those who teach middle school should have to obtain a separate license or degree to learn how to teach early adolescents and not elementary or high school students.
Charlie
16 years ago
2 comments:
Yes, it does seem really weird that they don't have middle school certifications. At the end of they day most of my classes and student teaching experience will be in a high school also. It seems weird that states would decided to do it this way. I do find it beneficial as a teacher because if high school doesn't work out for me I am still certified to teach middle school. At the end of the day though it probably would be more beneficial for students to have a teacher who is truly certified to teach them.
I totally agree that there should be a license for middle school teachers. The middle school experience is a unique time for students and I think there should be extensive training to teach at this level. This one think you said that might make middle school certificaiton difficult is the fact that students go through these changes at different times. It goes back to the question of how you teach for different developmental levels?
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