I'm about to begin my second round of teaching about middle school organization to undergrads at Champlain College. Sure, there is plenty my students and I can learn from books, articles, and discussion among ourselves. However, to get a wider understanding of how middle schools are organized around the country, I'd like to invite teachers from around the country (and even other parts of the world) to add to our discussion.
If you teach middle school, I invite you to become part of our discussion. You can participate in any of the following ways:
- Let us interview you via Skype - we meet on Monday evenings 5:00-7:30 EST. Tell me what works for you and let's meet.
- Let one of my students interview you online or by phone and report back to our class.
- Send me a link to your school's website and let me follow up with some questions.
- Make a video with your class and send us a link.
- Come up with some other idea to let us know about how your middle school is organized.
If you participate, I'll return the favor in some way. Perhaps our classes can begin a dialogue, or I can edit some paper for you or show you around Vermont when you are in the neighborhood.
I'd like to keep posts of our communications on this blog and make them public, with your permission.
Some of the topics we might ask about:
- What is your community like?
- What are your grade groupings?
- How are teaching responsibilities determined?
- How do you help students deal with early adolescence?
- What do you enjoy and detest about teaching middle school?
- Any "tricks of the trade" you are willing to share?
